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REPORT 

OF 

MAYOR'S DEFENSE 

COMMITTEE 



AUBURN - N. Y. 
1917 ■ 1919 



n. tf B. 

MAV 21 1920 



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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Our Honor Roll 5-6 

Mayor's Defense Committee : 

Officers 7 

Members 7-8 

Executive Council 9 

Sub-committees 9-11 

Report 12 

Introduction 13-18 

The Committee 18 

The Executive Council 19 

The Committee and the Council 20-22 

Sub-committees 22 

Appropriation to the Auburn Men in the 108th 

Regiment 23-24 

Finance Committee 25 

The Auburn War Chest 25-26 

Care of Service Men and Their Dependents 26-28 

Woman's National Service and Woman's 

Auxiliary 28-29 

Military Census 30 

Defense and Security Committee 30-32 

Military Committee 32-34 

Publicity Committee 34 

Transportation Committee 35 

Hospitals and Hospital Supplies Committee 35-36 

Food and War 36 

Farm Labor Utility Committee 36-38 

City Labor Utility Committee 38-39 

Food Production and Conservation Committee 39 

Home Garden Committee 40 

War Kitchen Committee 40-41 

Motor Vehicles and Operators 41 

Military Memorial Committee 42 



Report of the Mayor's Defense Committee 

Welcome Home Committee 42-43 

Special Service Committee 43-44 

Community Thanksgiving Service 44 

Expense of Administration 44-45 

Appropriations and Expenditures Committee .... 45 

Treasurer's Report 45-46 

Conclusion 46 

APPENDIXES 

Appendix I. 

Report of the Auburn Relief Committee 47-53 

Appendix II. 

Report of Committee on Defense and Security 53-71 

Appendix III. 

Report of Committee on Publicity 72-73 

Appendix IV. 

Report of Committee on Food Production and 

Conservation 73-77 

Appendix V. 

Report of Committee on Home Gardens 77-79 

Appendix VI. 

Report of the War Kitchen Committee 80-81 

Appendix VII. 

Report of Military Memorial Committee 81-85 

Appendix VIII. 

Report of Welcome Home Committee 86-107 

Appendix IX. 

Treasurer's Report 107-111 



OUR HONOR ROLL 



The Men of Auburn and of Cayuga County Who Died in the 
Service of Their Country in the World War 



Allen, Lloyd S. 
Assman, Frederick 
Autore, Emanuel 

Babcheck, Michael 
Baldwin, Benjamin F. 
Baranski, Zugmunt 
Barrett, James 
Braunig, Bernard 
Beecher, Judson 
Berlin, Otto 
Beyea, Willis 
Bloom, Raymond C. 
Burch, Elmer 
Bristol, Homer E. 
Britton, Charles 
Brooks, Isaac A. 
Burke, Thomas 

Calimerri, Frank 
Carr, Joseph A. 
Case, Henry 
Cerio, Charles L. 
Chapman, Leslie K. 
Christianson, John 
Churchill, Frank 
Clark, Clarence 
Close, Delmar 
Cool, John N. 
Cornell, LaRowe 
Cullen, Frank J. 

Dailey, Joseph C. 
Dawson, George 
Dessor, Alfred 
Dixon, Frank 
Douglass, Wm. James 



Exener, Dewey 

Fillingham, George 
Flynn, James 
Foltz, Leroy B. 
Frazier, Jesse 
Frisbie, Earl 

Getman, James E. 
Glass, Carl 
Grady, Joseph 
Graham, Birchmans 
Greenleaf, Mott 
Gunger, Lawrence 

Hall, Glenn A. 
Hanley, Joseph P. 
Hawley, Wilfred 
Hearn, Charles 
Herbert, Richard 
Herrick, Leland 
Hewson, William 
Hicks, Claude R. 
Hiserodt, John 
Hopper, Louis 
Howell, John 
Hubert, George D. 

Irish, Eugene 
Ingersoll, George 

Jashanski, Floyd J. 
Johnston, Joseph 
Joslyn, Thomas 

Kendall, Spencer 

Kilmer, Leland 
LaBuff, Jay 



Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 



Leone, Antonio 
LeFever, Daniel 

Maloney, Paul 
Manley, Edward 
Mansfield, John 
Marr, Edward Joseph 
Martino, John 
Meade, Clyde S. 
Meyer, Carl 
Meyer, Valentine 
Mitchell, William 
Morgan, John 
Murray, John 
McAndrews, Frank 
McGrain, Edward 

Norris, Hubert C. 

O'Byrne, Patrick 
O'Connor, James T. 
O'Connor, Timothy 

Palmer, George 
Pease, Edward 
Peleuse, George 
Peters, Donald 

Quinby, Herndon 
Quinn, Frank 

Raesler, Myron 
Ramsay, Roger 
Reister, Benjamin F. 



Rice, Mynderse W. 
Roberts, Merle 
Rowe, Walter 
Rooney, Joseph 
Roto, Charles 
Ryan, Timothy 

Santino, Antonio 
Savage, James H. 
Secaur, John B. 
Siampianto, Antonio 
Simon, Morris 
Smith, Jesse E. 
Stone, Howard D. 
Stanek, Stanley 
St. Croix, Mather De 
Sullivan, Frank W. 
Sullivan, Dennis A. 

Thornton, Howard J. 
Tincknell, George H., 
Tipping, Alfred 
Toole, James J. 
Tripp, Harry 

Walker, Kenneth K. 
Ward, William H. 
Weaver, Elmer 
Welch, Harry 
Wright, Raymond C. 
Wall, Harry 
Welch, Harry Vincent 
Yendrick, Stephen 



MAYOR'S DEFENSE COMMITTEE 
OF THE CITY OF AUBURN 

D 
OFFICERS 

His Honor, The Mayor, Mark I. Koon, 

General William H. Seward, Honorary Chairman, 

Rev. Dr. George B. Stewart, Chairman, 

Hon. Charles F. Rattigan, 1st Vice Chairman, 

Hon. Charles W. Brister, 2nd Vice Chairman, 

John M. Shetland, 3rd Vice Chairman, 

Rev. Dr. Robert Hastings Nichols, Secretary, 

Thomas H. Garrett, Jr., Treasurer, 

Sidney J. Aubin, Office Secretary and 
Assistant Treasurer. 



W. W. Abbott 
Arthur E. Adams 
Charles G. Adams 
Henry M. Allen 

Clarence F. Baldwin 
Wilbur B. Barnes 
William C. Bell 
T. Edward Bond 
Rev. Ralph Bray 
Jesse D. Brooks 
Gerald Boardman 

James C. Carroll 
Harry V. Clements 
Henry L. Coleman 
Dr. M. P. Conway 

William 0. Dapping 
Charles J. Defendorf 
Thomas F. Dignum 
William L. Duckett 
David M. Dunning 



MEMBERS 

J. Walter Ackerman 
Gorton W. Allen 
Courtney C. Avery 

Alfred E. Ballin 
Walter H. Beck 
George W. Benham 
John J. Breslin 
John M. Brainard 
Dr. Arthur H. Brown 

Henry R. Claudius 
Willard E. Case 
Delamer E. Clapp 

Dr. Howard I. Davenport 

James F. Dennis 

William H. Depew 

Rev. Allen Macy Dulles 

Hon. Richard C. S. Drummond 



8 



Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 



Frank A. Eldredge 
Fred L. Emerson 

John H. Farrell 
Charles L. Fetterly 
James H. Foster 
Herbert J. Fowler 

James J. Geherin 
Michael Graney 
Hon. Hull Greenfield 

Joseph S. Hanlon 
Patrick M. Herron 
Rev. John J. Hickey 
Samuel E. Hillger 

Miles S. Irish 

Frank S. Jacques 

Col. Edgar S. Jennings 

Julius Kraft 

Frank J. Lattimore 
Dr. Thomas F. Laurie 
Lewis F. Leonard 
Howard J. Lindsley 

Charles A. McCarthy 
Charles H. Manro 
Howard R. Merritt 
Harold G. Metcalf 
Rev. Peter Moia 
Herbert A. Morgan 
Hon. Edgar S. Mosher 

George W. Nellis 
Rev. Crandall J. North 
H. Dutton Noble, Jr. 

Hon. T. H. O'Neill 
Dr. Louis F. O'Neill 
Charles D. Osborne 

R. W. Palmer 
George C. Pearson 
Le Roy Phelps 



Merritt B. Eldredge 
Frederick M. Everett 

D. Edwin French 
Edwin R. Fay 
Claire D. Forman 



Rev. G. Giordano 
Merritt D. Greene 



Rev. Norton T. Houser 
William J. Henry 
Henry D. Hervey 



Gregg W. Irwin 
Edward J. Jewhurst 

Harry R. Kidney 

Anton J. Lauer 
Robert D. Lanehart 
George H. Leonard 
Charles F. Lyon 

John F. McGrath 
Charles G. Meaker 
Edwin F. Metcalf 
Frederick A. Mohr 
Charles P. Mosher 
D. Elmer Munro 



Albert H. Nichols 
Henry D. Noble 



Hon. Thomas M. Osborne 
Antonio Oropallo 



William K. Payne 
Col. Frederick T. Peet 



Patrick T. Quigley 



Members Mayor's Defense Committee 



John H. Rahrlie 
Justice Adalbert P. Rich 
Thomas S. Richardson 
Herbert J. Robinson 
Edgar A. Rose 
Daniel L. Ramsey 

Leonard H. Searing 
George W. Severson 
Frank A. Skilton 
Charles W. Storke 
Frank E. Swift 

John Taber 
Maurice C. Tetley 
Henry Traub, Jr. 
Carl C. Tallman 



Rev. Harry L. Reed 
Rev. Charles G. Richards 
Rev. James S. Riggs 
William P. Robinson 
Lyman H. Rust 

Dr. Frederick Sefton 
William H. Seward, Jr. 
Arthur D. Smith 
Alan D. Stout 
Rev. Stanislaus J. Szupa 

John D. Teller 
Edward H. Thomson 
Hon. George B. Turner 



Hon. George Underwood 
John Van Sickle 



David Wadsworth 
Thomas M. Walker 
Cicero J. Warne 
Edmund C. Weatherby 
Charles T. Whelan 
Elbert C. Wixom 
Hon. Walter E. Woodin 
J. Hermon Woodruff 
Arthur Z. Wright 
James A. Wilson 



J. Reynolds Wait 
J. Arthur Walsh 
Roy A. Weld 
Fred H. Wiggins 
Fred B. Wills 
Leslie E. Woodcock 
Dr. Edwin G. Woodruff 
William H. Woodruff 
Charles A. Wright 
Douglass Woodruff 



EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 

His Honor The Mayor, William H. Seward, George B. Stewart, 
Charles W. Brister, Charles F. Rattigan, John M. Shetland, 
Robert Hastings Nichols, Thomas H. Garrett, Sidney J. Aubin, 
Gorton W. Allen, Gerald Boardman, Arthur H. Brown, John Van 
Sickle, Samuel E. Hillger, Richard C. S. Drummond, James A. Wil- 
son, M. P .Conway, Leslie Woodcock, D. Elmer Munro, Charles 
W. Storke, E. C. Weatherby, J. Reynolds Wait, Edwin F. Metcalf, 
William H. Seward, Jr., William C. Bell. 

SUB-COMMITTEES 

Finance : Gorton W. Allen, Chairman ; D. Edwin French, Thomas 
F. Dignum, Charles A. McCarthy. 

Care of Service Men and their Dependents: Gerald Board- 
man, Chairman; Arthur E. Adams, Mrs. Gorton W. Allen, 
Mrs. H. Dutton Noble, Jr. 



10 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

Medical Care : Arthur H. Brown, M.D., Chairman ; Louis F. 
O'Neill, M.D. 

Legal Advice: John VanSickle, Chairman; H. Button Noble, Jr., 
John Taber. 

Relief: George B. Stewart, Chairman; Gerald Boardman, Arthur 

E. Adams, Mrs. Gorton W. Allen, Mrs. H. Button Noble, Jr., 
Br. Arthur H. Brown, Br. Louis F. O'Neill, John VanSickle, 
H. Button Noble, Jr., John Taber, Mrs. Arthur Titus, Mrs. 
P. T. Quigley, Mrs. Morton Oltz, Miss Pauline Titus, Miss 
Margaret Brown, Mrs. Howard E. Ensor. 

Military Census: Cicero J. Warne, Chairman for the County; 
Joseph S. Hanlon, Chairman for the City, and many others. 

Befense and Security : Samuel E. Hillger, Chairman, John Van- 
Sickle, Charles A. Wright, Edward Guilfoil, J. Reynolds 
Wait, Alan Stout, Harry Lathrop Reed, Thomas F. Laurie. 

Military: Charles W. Brister, Chairman; Gregg W. Irwin, John 

F. McGrath, M. P. Conway, Gorton W. Allen, Crandall J. 
North. 

Publicity : Richard C. S. Brummond, Chairman ; William 0. Bap- 
ping, Howard R. Merritt. 

Transportation: James A. Wilson, Chairman; and others. 

Hospitals and Hospital Supplies : Br. M. P. Conway, Chairman ; 
and others. 

Farm Labor Utility: Leslie Woodcock, and subsequently, B. 
Elmer Munro, Chairman; Charles G. Adams, Frank S. 
Jacques, William H. Bepew, Fred H. Wiggins, Charles W. 
Storke, Elmer N. Ross, Frank E. Swift, Henry B. Hervey. 

City Labor Utility : Charles W. Storke, Chairman ; Fred W. Jones, 
Charles L. Fetterley, A. E. Ballin, Harold G. Metcalf, Boug- 
lass Woodruff, George Severson, LeRoy Phelps. 

Food Production and Conservation: E. C. Weatherby, Chair- 
man : Miss Mary C. Bowen and others. 

War Garden: E. C. Weatherby and subsequently, J. Reynolds 
Wait, Chairman ; John Macintosh, C. A. Clark, S. L. Bepew, 
Mrs. Bavid Wadsworth, Jr., John VanSickle, Leslie Wood- 
cock, J. A. Hunter, Henry B. Hervey, E. J. Flynn. 

War Kitchen : Edwin F. Metcalf, Chairman ; Courtney C. Avery, 
Mrs. Lawrence R. Boden, Mrs. Albert H. Hamilton, Miss 
Louise Montgomery, Miss Mary C. Bowen. 

Motor Vehicles and Operators: Br. Arthur H. Brown, Chair- 
man ; and others. 



Sub-Committees 11 

Military Memorial: George B. Stewart, Chairman; Samuel E. 
Hillger, John VanSickle, William H. Seward, Jr., Thomas H. 
O'Neill, William K. Payne, Miles Irish, Harold G. Metcalf, 
Julius Kraft. 

Welcome Home: John M. Shetland, Chairman; Richard C. S. 
Drummond, Sidney J. Aubin, William 0. Dapping, John F. 
McGrath, Howard R. Merritt, Howard J. Lindsley, John J. 
Breslin, P. T. Quigley, Elliott F. Baldwin, Charles W. Storke, 
Henry R. Claudius, Harry R. Kidney, William C. Bell, Edgar 
S. Mosher, Arthur D. Smith, Carl C. Tallman, Samuel E. 
Hillger; and representing the County, J. Guernsey Allen, 
Summerhill ; Sanf ord G. Lyon, Aurora, George W. Benham, 
Auburn. 

Special Service : William C. Bell, Chairman ; and others. 

Appropriations and Expenditures : William H. Seward, Jr., Chair- 
man; Clarence F. Baldwin, George B. Stewart, Gorton W. 
Allen, Thomas H. Garrett, Jr. 



REPORT OF THE MAYOR'S DEFENSE 

COMMITTEE OF THE CITY 

OF AUBURN 

To His Honor, The Mayor of The City of Auburn, Mark I. Koon, 
and to The Citizens of Auburn, N. Y. 

On March 2, 1917, the Auburn Advertiser-Journal and the 
Auburn Citizen contained the following communication : 

"AMERICANS SPEAK OUT" 

"Our country is facing probably the gravest crisis in its history. 
Many patriotic Americans have been keeping quiet, because of a 
desire not to hamper the government, and also because of lack of 
opportunity to express their minds. 

Those who want the country to follow a policy of cowardice 
and submission have been and are pressing their views noisily. The 
result we now see in a Congress divided and irresolute before na- 
tional danger. 

"Meanwhile our citizens traveling peaceably on the high seas 
are murdered, our ships are barred from lawful voyages, our flag 
is shut up in port, by order of Germany. Our rights are trampled 
upon, and our commercial life is suffering. More than this we are 
suffering grevious moral loss. A nation that surrenders to tyranical 
injustice cannot count for justice in the world. 

"It is time for patriotic citizens to say what we think and make 
it known in Washington. 

"All who believe that American lives and interests ought to 
be protected and American rights upheld by all lawful means, in- 
cluding war if that be necessary, and who will support our govern- 
ment in a policy of this kind, are urged to do one of two things at 
once ; either to write personal letters to the President and Congress- 
man Gould, and other Congressmen, or to send their names to 
Robert H. Nichols, Secretary, 7 Grover Street, Auburn, New York. 
The names sent in will be communicated to the President and Mem- 
bers of Congress, as those of citizens who hold the views above 
stated. 

George B. Stewart, Harry L. Reed, 

Charles W. Brister, Adelbert P. Rich, 

Allen Macy Dulles, George B. Turner, 

Robert H. Nichols, George Underwood, 

John Van Sickle." 
12 



Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 13 

This communication was the outcome of informal conferences 
by the gentlemen who signed it, which conferences covered several 
weeks preceding the publication of the above statement. They 
were fully persuaded that something should be done in a public 
way to reveal the patriotic sentiment in the city and to give such 
support to our Government as we might be able in the critical sit- 
uation m which it was placed by the offensive and unwarranted 
conduct of the Imperial German Government and its representa- 
tives in this country. After waiting for what to them appeared 
a long time for someone to initiate a public movement to this end, 
they felt impelled to issue the above call to their fellow-citizens! 
They were not surprised by the instant response which it awakened. 
The following persons, most of them citizens of Auburn, voluntar- 
ily and without solicitation, wrote Dr. Nichols, endorsing the posi- 
tion taken in the statement: 

Rev. Prof. Arthur S. Hoyt, D.D., Sheldon R. Voorhees, M.D., 
Rev. John Qumcy Adams, D.D., Warrington J. Somers, J. B. Stupp, 
Elmer B. Irish, Harry V. Clements, Wm. Chauncey Gates, Fred- 
erick B. Wills, Samuel E. Hillger, Herbert G. Robinson, Wm. B. 
Hills, Wm. B. Ewell, Thomas F. Laurie, M. D., Richard C. S. Drum- 
mond, L. L. Rea, Charles P. Mosher, William B. Barnes, S. M. Eddy 
Alexander Brown, Samuel Hopkins Adams, Charles G. Barrett, 
Fred J. Crocker, F. G. Kimberley, A. F, Hodgman, M.D., A. E. 
Adams, Royal K. Eaton, Byron W. Hutchinson, Otis Strong, Fred- 
erick T. Peet, Arthur P. Hemans, F. A. Skilton, Rev. Harris B. 
Stewart, Rev. Frank W. Moore, J. T. Drake, Dr. A. J. Tuxill, Frank 
Colhns, C. F. Baldwin, E. E. Cadwallader, E. L. Dare, Rev C G 
Richards, D. D., Henry D. Hervey, Nelson Eldred, Jr., Rev. Her- 
bert A. Youtz, Arthur Adams, Jr., Frederick S. Parker H W 
Hodder, Fred E. Giles, Wm. Whyte, M. A. Giles, Frank A. Bates] 
E. D. Cullen, Thomas J. Harvey, Wm. J. C. Pengelly, Wm. Hayden, 
Edward W. Hodgson, Howard H. Clack, W. S. Curtis, T. S. Rich- 
ardson, J. Henry Hall, J. A. Kilburn, E. J. Hunt, A. P. Rinehart, 
Harry Hodge, S. H. Knox, W. H. Crifieid, W. P. Hall, F. Radcliffe, 
H. D. Tutton, J. Hare Henry Quicknell, Albert H. S. Jones, Luigi 
Peluso, George F. Giles, Charles B. Rice, H. Douglas Johnson, F. 
W. Brown, Fred E. Beck,, Charles G. Walker, C. R. Outlaw, Wil- 
liam B. Barnhart, T. W. Beebe, George B. Wittman, Benjamin P. 
Cogswell, Rob Roy McCully, M. D., Harris W. Bradshaw,>red W 
Workman, Edward H. Follett, James Dennis, James M. V. Bennett 
George H. Beers, P. T. Quigley, David Wills, George Selover, J. 
Arthur Strain, Mrs. George H. Beers, Mrs. Charles W. Hughitt, 
Alice C. Follett, Josephine Follett, Carrie E. Follett, Mrs. Grace S 
Raines, Mrs. R. R. McCully, Elizabeth Porter Clarke, Mildred 
Cochran, Mabel Rinehart, Kittie M. VanArsdale, Mrs. M. E Hall 
Mrs. F. Radcliffe, Mrs. A. E. Adams, Carrie E. Downer, Mrs E l' 
Dare, Mrs. J. T. Drake, Mrs. Otis Strong, Mrs. W. S. Cheesman, 
J^^?V A:t?^; Hodgman, Mrs. John Van Sickle, Janet Van Sickle, Mrs. 
K. H. Nichols, Mrs. Frank W. Moore, Mrs. C. F. Baldwin M H 



14 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

Oakes, Binghamton, N. Y., George Emmons, Port Byron, N. Y., 
C. Walter Gibbs, Weedsport, N. Y., James B. Hitchcock, Scipioville, 
N. Y., Rev. E. Lloyd Jones, Meridian, N. Y., Adah Cook, Sennett, 
N. Y., Mrs. W. F. Newcomer, Boston, Mass., Patrick J. Mohan, 
Dannemora, N. Y. 

Others wrote directly to the President or to our representatives 
in the Senate and the Congress. 

This communication with the above names attached was sent 
to the President of the United States, to the two United States 
Senators from New York, to the Representative of this District in 
the Congress, all of whom suitably acknowledged the receipt of it. 

The public agitation thus inaugurated continued. Frequent 
conferences of the gentlemen who were the original signers of the 
paper and of others were held, at which the growing seriousness 
of the affairs of the country was discussed and our duty in view of 
it. On March 26th, in the office of George Underwood, there gath- 
ered Hon. Mark I. Koon, Gorton W. Allen, Charles W. Brister, 
Richard C. S. Drummond, Allen Macy Dulles, Samuel E. Hillger, 
Edgar S. Jennings, Robert H. Nichols, George Underwood, George 
B. Stewart, John Van Sickle. On motion of Mr. Allen, President 
Stewart was unanimously elected chairman of the meeting and of 
any organization that might grow out of it. Professor Nichols was 
chosen secretary. It was decided that the Mayor should call a pub- 
lic meeting for Friday evening, March 30th, that Mr. Allen should 
be a committee to obtain the Auditorium for that night, that Messrs. 
Drummond, Nichols and Van Sickle should be a committee to ar- 
range a program, that Messrs. Underwood, Brister and Dulles 
should be a committee to prepare resolutions to be presented for 
adoption by the meeting, and that the Mayor appoint a committee 
of Defense to be announced at that time. 

Subsequent meetings were held in the Mayor's office in the 
City Hall on March 27th, 28th, and 30th, at which the details for 
the Patriotic meeting were arranged and the Mayor announced his 
choice of members of the Defense Committee, so that when the time 
arrived for the assembling of our citizens, everything was in read- 
iness for the occasion. 

On Tuesday, March 27th, the Mayor issued the following 
proclamation : 

"To the CITIZENS OF AUBURN : 

"A crisis in our National affairs has been reached. A power- 
ful nation engaged in war, but with which we have been nominally 
at peace has ruthlessly and wantonly in disregard of international 
law, of treaties with us, and of the ordinary principles of humanity, 
destroyed our ships lawfully employed in commerce on the high 



Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 15 

seas, and has outraged and murdered our citizens, even our women 
and children. These barbarous wrongs have been deliberately 
committed. They have been threatened in advance and both justi- 
fied and boasted of afterwards. This nation has without right or 
even formal declaration, subjected us to war, and we are now, 
without seeking and against our will, in a state of war with a 
desperate enemy. 

"The facts cannot be ignored or evaded any longer. Our 
national honor has been assailed. Our own wrongs, with those of 
others justly entitled to our sympathy and support as victims of 
the same reckless military power, call for redress. Our national 
safety is in peril not only from without, but as we have come pain- 
fully to understand, from the supporters of this same enemy over- 
seas who are within our midst. We must take measures for de- 
fense. 

"The Government at Washington, our President and the Con- 
gress should be informed of the patriotic support which this patri- 
otic community proclaims for the measures already taken for the 
defense of the nation; and we should by appropriate action urge 
our public officials in nation and state to proceed forthwith to sup- 
plement the provisions now being made by further measures, im- 
mediately to he undertaken, and vigorously to be pressed for the 
assertion of our rights and in defense of our liberties and honor. 

"Let us face the fact that we are at war, and declare ourselves 
like men, before further humiliation or disaster overtake us. Let 
us urge our government to prompt and patriotic action. 

"This community has never lagged behind when the nation 
called. The spirit of our fathers still lives. Let us stand at the 
front again, not shrinking but unafraid, and let our voice be heard 
and our deeds be shov/n. 

"I call upon the patriotic citizens of this community to as- 
semble in mass meeting at the Auditorium on Friday evening, 
March 30, at 8 o'clock, to express our loyalty and to take appropri- 
ate, effective and single-minded action in our defense, and in sup- 
port of our Government in this time of peril. The honor of the 
city demands, our country calls, and the cause of justice and right- 
eousness stands forth to consecrate our undertaking. 

MARK L KOON, 
Mayor of the City of Auburn." 

On Friday evening, March 30th, before the hour appointed 
the Burtis Auditorium on Garden Street was filled by an audience 
of four thousand of our citizens, who showed by their presence 
and in other ways their keen sense of the seriousness of the situa- 
tion and their intense patriotic purpose to support the Government 



16 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

in a vigorous conduct of the war, into which we were about to en- 
ter. There was no division of opinion as to the duty of the Govern- 
ment at Washington or the duty of this community in the public 
crisis. War was the only door open before the Nation, and before 
us was the immediate obligation to mobilize all of our human and 
other resources for the protection of our local interests and for 
the most effective support of the federal and state governments. 

The music was furnished by the Third Regiment Band and 
by the Knights of Pythias Fife and Drum Corps, which also led 
the singing by the audience. His Honor, Mayor Mark I. Koon, pre- 
sided and prayer was offered by Rev. Laurence N. Sirrell, D. D., 
pastor of the First Baptist Church. The audience sang America, 
after which the Mayor stated the object of the meeting and intro- 
duced Rev. George B. Stewart, D. D., President of the Theological 
Seminary, as the Presiding Officer of the evening. General William 
H. Seward, being upon the platform was presented to the audience 
which stood to receive him. He gave expression to his well-known 
patriotic sentiments in a few sentences, all that the condition of 
his health at the time permitted him to make. 

Hon. Richard C. S. Drummond, City Attorney, and Hon. Rob- 
ert F. Thompson, Canandaigua, a Justice of the Supreme Court, 
made addresses of great power, which aroused the people to a fine 
point of enthusiasm. The meeting closed with the singing of The 
Star Spangled Banner. Before the national anthem was sung, the 
following resolutions were presented by the Hon. George Under- 
wood, which were adopted by a rising vote : 

"Whereas, our Government, in severing diplomatic relations 
with Germany, gave notice that if the illegal submarine attacks, 
which Germany was threatening to make upon our ships, should 
in fact be made, necessary steps to resist such attacks would be 
taken, and 

"Whereas, many such attacks have since been made resulting 
in the sinking of the Algonquin, the City of Memphis, the Hlinois, 
the Vigilancia, the Healdton, and other vessels, with the resultant 
loss of many American lives ; and 

"Whereas, besides murdering our citizens, restricting our com- 
merce by illegal submarine warfare, and destroying our ships, the 
German Government has attempted to array against us, the friend- 
ly powers of Japan and Mexico in a plot to dismember our nation ; 
and 

"Whereas, by these and other hostile acts, Germany is now 
virtually making war against the United States ; and 

"Whereas, we believe, with President Monroe, that 'we must 
support our rights or lose our character, and with it our liberties,' 
now therefore be it 



Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 17 

"RESOLVED, by citizens of Auburn, New York, in public 
meeting assembled — 

"1. That we approve the action of the President in severing 
diplomatic relations with Germany, in deciding to arm American 
vessels, and in calling Congress in Special Session. 

"2. That we declare our deep conviction that the principles 
of National conduct governing Germany's actions in the present 
war are inconsistent with the principles of Democracy and with 
the purposes and aspirations of this Republic ; and we hold that the 
time has now come when it is the duty of this nation to take part 
in the common task of defending civilization and human liberty 
against Germany's military aggression. 

"3. That we call upon Congress, when assembled, to declare, 
that by the acts of Germany, a state of war does now exist between 
that country and the United States. 

"4. That we look to our Government for prompt, vigorous 
and courageous leadership for the effective protection of American 
rights in this crisis. 

"5. That we urge the immediate enactment of a Universal 
Military Training Law, providing for a national defense based on 
the duty of every able bodied citizen to share in the protection of 
our country and in the maintenance of its high ideals. 

"6. That we publically affirm our loyalty and pledge our sup- 
port to the President of the United States, the constitutional leader 
of the nation ; and that we hold ourselves ready to respond to our 
National and State Governments for such services as may be re- 
quired of us, in the defense of our country and the enforcement of 
the rights of its citizens ; and further — 

**RESOLVED, That a copy of these resolutions shall be sent to 
the President of the United States, to the Governor of this State, 
to the Senators from the State of New York, and to our Representa- 
tives in Congress." 

These resolutions were forwarded to the President of the 
United States, the Senators of New York State, the Representa- 
tives in t he Congress of this District, and to the Governor of the 
State, and their receipt was duly acknowledged by all of these 
officials. 

While this report deals with matters directly related to the 
Mayor's Defense Committee, yet it ought to be stated here that 
many other individuals and organizations were active and influ- 
ential in the same spirit and to the same ends both before and after 
the Auditorium meeting. This committee by no means exhausted 
the patriotic fervor or labors of our citizens. Indeed, the work 
done by this committee was but a small fraction in amount and 



18 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

effectiveness of similar work by hundreds and thousands of others. 
Our daily papers, our religious and fraternal organizations, our 
schools, our Chamber of Commerce, and our citizens almost with- 
out exception, were animated by a fine spirit of patriotism, by a 
determination to support the Government, and by a willingness 
to make sacrifices without measure. 

While we can only record our own work, we wish to bear un- 
reserved testimony to the co-operation we received from these 
others not on our committee, without which our work would have 
been futile. 



THE COMMITTEE. 

At the Auditorium meeting the Mayor read the names of the 
citizens whom he had chosen for the Mayor's Defense Committee, 
and which he had previously given to the daily papers, and pursu- 
ant to his request these gentlemen assembled on the Auditorium 
stage immediately after the public meeting with His Honor in the 
Chair. A committee on organization and nominations was appoint- 
ed, with the Hon. Richard C. S. Drummond, chairman. On recom- 
mendation of this committee, George B. Stewart was chosen chair- 
man and Robert Hastings Nichols secretary of the committee. The 
Committee then adjourned for further action in the matter of or- 
ganization to April 4th, at the State Armory. 

The next meeting of the committee v^as held in the mess hall 
of the Armory on April 4, pursuant to adjournment. On recom- 
mendation of the committee on organization and nominations, the 
Hon. William H. Seward was chosen Honorary Chairman, Charles 
F. Rattigan, First Vice Chairman, Charles W. Brister, Second Vice 
Chairman, John M. Shetland, Third Vice Chairman. 

On recommendation of the same committee it was decided to 
have a number of sub-committees, the chairmen of which together 
with the officers of the Committee should constitute an Executive 
Council; the Executive Council was given power to act for the 
Committee ad interim; the Chairman was authorized to appoint 
the sub-committees, to form additional sub-committees, to call meet- 
ings of the committee or of sub-committees or of Council ; all local 
organizations were requested to co-operate with the Committee for 
patriotic purposes; an offer from the Uniformed Maccabees Rifle 
Club of its services was thankfully received ; the sub-committee on 
Finance was authorized to prepare a budget of the financial needs of 
the Committee and to appeal to the citizens of Auburn for contribu- 
tions in cash or monthly payments to meet these needs ; the cordial 
cooperation of the Committee was offered to the County Defense 
Committee for whose appointment the Governor of the State had just 



The Executive Council 19 

provided ; the unanimous and hearty approval of the action of the 
President of the United States in recommending to the Congress a 
Declaration of War with Germany was given and the loyal and full 
support of the citizens of Auburn was pledged to him and to the 
Congress in the vigorous prosecution of the war. 

The constitution of the Mayor's Defense Committee as finally 
completed after some revision by him precedes this report. 



THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. 

The first meeting of the Executive Council was held April 18, 
1917. Thomas H. Garrett, Jr., was elected Treasurer and Office 
Secretary, which position, Mr. Garrett generously consented to fill 
without compensation. In June, as Mr. Garrett had in the same 
patriotic and generous spirit consented to serve as Federal Fuel 
Administrator, Mr. Sidney J. Aubin was appointed Office Secre- 
tary, and subsequently was chosen also as Assistant Treasurer, at a 
merely nominal compensation. Both of these gentlemen have ren- 
dered faithful service and have been invaluable to the committee as 
executive officers. 

The Masons at this meeting offered the free use of certain 
rooms in their office building on South Street, and the offer was 
gratefully accepted, as were similar offers of furniture from Mr. 
Garrett, G. W. Richardson and Son, H. R. Wait and Co., and others. 
As the work grew in volume it was necessary to move to other and 
larger rooms in the Masonic Building, which were assigned to us on 
the same generous terms. The headquarters of the Committee have 
continued until the present in this building, and we are under many 
obligations to the Masonic bodies for their patriotic treatment. We 
are also grateful to those who enabled us to equip our three office 
rooms at a trifling expense to the committee. 

At this same meeting the Chairman announced the personnel 
of the sub-committees authorized by the Committee. Later, other 
sub-committees were added, and members were added to the exist- 
ing committees. A list of the sub-committees is presented herewith 
and is a part of this Report. 

, On recommendation of the Chairman, the following plan for 
managing the finances of the Committee was adopted : 

There shall be a finance committee and a committee on appro- 
priations and expenditures ; the former is to have charge of raising 
the necessary funds, and the latter is to supervise expenditures ; the 
approval of the latter must be obtained in advance by officers and 
chairmen of sub-committees for all expenditures contemplated by 
them, which approval is to be given only when and as the funds in 



20 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

the treasury warrant the same; the Treasurer is to honor requisi- 
tions of the officers and chairmen when within the amounts ap- 
proved by the Appropriations and Expenditures Committee. 



THE COMMITTEE AND THE COUNCIL. 

The Mayor's Committee has held eight meetings, most of them 
in the Court House, with an average attendance of forty-five, and 
the Executive Council has held twenty-one meetings. Much of the 
business of these meetings was of a transitory character, whose 
importance, often considerable, was due to the circumstances of the 
time, and without that setting would seem unintelligible or insig- 
nificant. Therefore, this Report may properly pass over most of 
the discussions and work of the Committee and Council and confine 
itself to a few matters by way of illustrating the varied and multi- 
tudinous activities of the Committee as a whole and of the Council. 

Offers of assistance and co-operation were received from many 
of the fraternal organizations, churches, business concerns and 
allied business groups, Civil and Spanish War Veterans, Women's 
Organizations, Y. M. C. A., Boy Scouts, City Departments, and in- 
dividuals. Most of these groups and individuals rendered the com- 
mittee valuable service from time to time and the committee in its 
turn was able in various ways to further their patriotic purposes 
and labors. The Committee was in constant touch with the County 
Defense Committee, occupying the same Headquarters and working 
with it in the closest co-operation to the mutual advantage of both 
committees. The same has been true of the Food Administrator's 
Office. While Mr. Wyckoff Hoxie, the Federal Food Administrator 
was a county officer and was officially connected with the County 
Defense Committee, yet so large a part of his work was in the city 
that he was necessarily brought into relations with this committee. 
We take this occasion to express our appreciation and our sense of 
the indebtedness of our citizens to him for his gratuitous and effi- 
cient administration of his office. By his prudent and sensible dis- 
charge of his delicate and burdensome duties, he carried the city 
through a most trying period without serious inconvenience to our 
citizens and without injury to any interest. 

In a less degree, we were associated with the Federal Fuel 
Administrator, Mr. Thomas H. Garrett, Jr., who because of his large 
experience in the coal business and his unimpeachable probity was 
exceptionally well qualified for the duties of an office so essential to 
local business and individual interests and also to national welfare. 
Without compensation and zealously, he made all the nice adjust- 
ments required between the conflicting interests of producer, dealer, 
consumer, so that all were justly cared for and all serious suffering 
in the city and county from coal shortage was avoided. The city 



The Committee and the Council 21 

should not cease to be grateful to Mr. Garrett for his valuable serv- 
ices through many months in managing a perilous situation. 

The Committee so far as was needed co-operated with the Y. M. 
C. A., the Cayuga County Chapter of the Red Cross, the Liberty 
Loan Committee, the War Savings Stamp Agent, in their drives 
for money, the first two before the Auburn War Chest was organized 
and the last two throughout the whole period. 

The Commxittee took up the matter of providing life insurance 
for our own men before the Government entered the field and had 
partially workd out a plan when the Government proposed its 
scheme, which properly terminated our efforts in this direction. 

We gave much attention to the matter of road building, both 
from the point of view of the conservation of labor at a time when 
labor was needed for "essential'* industries, and from that of better 
facilities for transportation when motor transportion became an 
essential part of our facilities for moving crops and goods. We 
worked with City, County and State officials and with the County 
and State Motor Transportation Committees toward the solution of 
a number of highway and transportation problems. 

The guarding of State and municipal property, in the city and 
vicinity, the inventory of arms and ammunition, the registry of 
concerns and persons owning or carrying arms, the assembling and 
safe-guarding of dynamite and other high explosives, these and 
other similar matters, while more particularly the responsibility of 
those municipal officials to whose office they belonged, yet received 
careful attention from the Committee and much time and service 
was given to them. 

Various plans and efforts for food production and conservation 
were issued from Washington and from Albany and received the 
attention of our respective sub-committees, as also much thoughtful 
attention from this Committee and Council. By advice and effort, 
we were able to serve in a substantial way the ''Million-acre wheat" 
campaign, the ''agriculture survey and inventory," War Garden 
and War Kitchen promotion in the villages of the county, the use of 
prisoners for work upon our farms, and various other undertakings 
of this sort, handled also by our sub-committees or not coming to 
their attention. 

This Committee and Council also actively assisted in many cel- 
ebrations in the city and county, such as, an Americanization Day, 
July 4, 1918, at Lakeside Park; a British Day with a public meeting 
in the evening in the High School Auditorium; a Lafayette and 
Battle of the Marne Day with a public meeting in the High School 
Auditorium; and other public gatherings in the interest of Amer- 
icanization. 

We adopted the plan of promoting visits by our officers, mem- 
bers and other citizens at their own charges, to Fort Niagara where 



22 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

our Company M was encamped for several months, to the Officers' 
Training Camps at Cape Vincent and Plattsburg, where there were 
a number of Auburn men in training, thus evidencing to the men, 
our interest in them and at the same time enabling us to know of 
their condition. Our citizens needed no exhortation to minister to 
the comfort and well being of our men in school. Camp, Cantonment, 
or on the Seas, but they constantly needed suggestion and assistance 
in their work of love and mercy. This was true of individuals and 
organizations, and we were always ready to guide their efforts and 
to re-enforce them. Many women's Circles, Auxiliaries, Societies, 
were active in these noble enterprises to a commendable degree and 
sought our help. We, and all public interests, owe an immeasurable 
debt to our patriotic women who worked without ceasing. 

When Company M and the Supply Company were transferred 
from Fort Niagara to Camp Gorton W. Allen at the foot of Owasco 
Lake, the Camp bearing the name of our intensely patriotic citizen, 
and again when they were transferred to Camp Whitman, their 
passage through our city was made the occasion by our Committee 
to minister to their physical wants by giving them luncheons, and 
while they were at the Lake we busied ourselves with attention to 
their needs and comforts. 

There were times when the matter of service flags occupied a 
good share of public attention, when a roster of service men dis- 
played in a prominent public place was much discussed, when other 
interesting and fitting things were brought to the attention of the 
the Committee or of the Council. These always received full and 
sympathetic consideration, even when we were constrained to re- 
frain from endorsement or from active co-operation in such move- 
ments. 

This recital of a few of the many matters attended to by the 
Committee or Council directly might be indefinitely extended, but 
enough has been told to show that we have not been altogether idle 
or inattentive to our appointed task. 



SUB-COMMITTEES. 

With the organization of the sub-committees and their en- 
trance upon their duties there were comparatively few reasons for 
calling together the whole committee or even the Council. As every 
member of the Committee was a busy man it was desirable that 
we should make as few demands upon his time as the requirements 
of the work permitted, and this was accomplished through our 
efficient committee organization. The major portion of the work 
could be done by the sub-committees and was done by them in a 
thoroughly satisfactory way. It required in many cases, much 



Appropriation to Auburn Men in 108th Regiment 2S 

time, judgment, ability and was always performed ungrudgingly 
and with enthusiasm. Never in a single instance did your Chair- 
man ask of any member of this Commitee the performance of any 
task, and meet with a refusal, but on the contrary, no matter how 
unpleasant or onerous the duty, he met in every instance with a 
a cordial and affirmative response. Every man on the Committee 
had a mind to work and to work to the limit. This was a most re- 
markable case of unanimous purpose and undivided counsels and 
unfaltering endeavor. For thirty-three months this Committee 
has maintained this record, a record to be proud of and rejoiced in. 



APPROPRIATION TO THE AUBURN MEN IN 
THE 108TH REGIMENT. 

Auburn has always had a just pride in her representatives in 
the National Guard. Therefore, when Company M and the Supply 
Company and Band of the 3rd Regiment of the N. Y. N. G. were 
mobilized for the federal service as the 108th Regiment, the first 
contingent to be thus mobilized, they carried the heart of Auburn 
with them. Nothing was too good for them. The regret was that 
more could not be done. The first appropriation, which was made 
by the Executive Council at its first meeting, before there were 
any funds in the treasury, was a thousand dollars to be given to 
Col. Edgar S. Jennings, commander of the Third Regiment, to be 
used for the benefit of the Auburn men in his command. 

No act could more fittingly head the activities of the Council 
and no money appropriated for any purpose by it could more ade- 
quately express the profound emotions of our people at the time. 
There was a full realization that these men were not entering upon 
some holiday performance, but were going upon a great and peril- 
ous adventure in the defense of our own and our Nation's ideals 
and life. We knew they were the advance guard of hundreds of 
other brave men who would have to follow them in the same hazard- 
ous and toilsome undertaking. We must show them in some man- 
ner, inadequate though it must necessarily be, that we honored 
them, were deeply grateful to them, and were ready to do our 
utmost for their comfort and well-being. Thus would we cheer 
them, thus would others be encouraged to show like bravery and 
devotion, thus would we give proof that we were not unmindful of 
our indebtedness to them. 



24 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

The following is Col. Jennings' report, recently made. His 
administration of this fund must win the cordial approval of all. 

"HEADQUARTERS 

"FOURTH BRIGADE, NEW YORK GUARD 

"451 Main Street 

"Telephone, Seneca 1362 

"Buffalo, N. Y. 

"24 July, 1919. 
"Dr. George B. Stewart, 

Chairman, Mayor's Defense Committee, 
Auburn, N. Y. 
"My dear Dr. Stewart: 

"In reply to your favor of the 22nd inst. with regard to the 
thousand dollars turned over to me by the Mayor's Defense Com- 
mittee, for the benefit of the Auburn men of the 3rd Regiment at 
the time we entered the Federal Service in 1917, I beg to state that 
this money was divided pro rata, and turned over to the different 
company commanders of the Regiment. Com.pany M received the 
largest share, with the Supply Company second. 

"The money was used as a part of the Company funds of each 
unit; and, undoubtedly, brought comforts and little luxuries to the 
men, which otherwise could not be provided them. Company M, I 
believe, used a part of their funds for the buying of wooden crosses, 
suitably marked, for their dead. 

"The Mayor's Defense Committee can well feel that this gift 
to the soldiers, was most acceptable at the time given ; and it was 
expended in such a way that its benefits went, not only to the Au- 
burn men, but to help others in the Regiment. 

"I take this opportunity to express my keen appreciation for 
the splendid work your Committee has done during the war along 
true, patriotic lines. 

"Yours very respectfully, 

E. S. JENNINGS." 



The Auburn War Chest 25 

FINANCE COMMITTEE. 

This committee consisted of Gorton W. Allen, Chairman, D. 
Edwin French, Thomas F. Dignum, Charles A. McCarthy. The 
first duty of the committee was to obtain funds, and as there were 
soldiers* dependents already needing assistance at the time of its 
appointment, this duty had to be attended to at once. Many in- 
dividuals came forward with voluntary subscriptions, some of 
which were in the form of checks and some as monthly payments. 
Various groups, such as, the Brewers, Druggists, Hardware men. 
Insurance men. Bankers, manufacturing firms, retail merchants 
and others combined their subscriptions and paid them as units into 
the treasury. By October, 1917, the committee had enough funds in 
the treasury to meet all current demands and therefore notified the 
several subscribers that they need not meet their monthly pledges 
until further notice. In January, 1918, the Auburn War Chest 
undertook to finance the Mayor's Defense Committee and therefore 
from that time there was no further work for the Finance Com- 
mittee. This committee secured subscriptions for one year to the 
amount of $14,759 from 172 subscribers. Sixteen subscribers paid 
nothing, and the others paid prior to October 1, 1917, $7,161.78. 

The vigor and enthusiasm of the finance committee aided by 
the prompt and generous response of our citizens supplied the 
Mayor's Committee with ample funds for nearly the whole of its 
first year and from that time until the present, the Auburn War 
Chest has been its financial reliance. 



THE AUBURN WAR CHEST. 

At a meeting of the Council on June 27, 1917, the Chairman 
presented the idea of a War Chest for the city. The matter was 
discussed, but it was evident that the town was not ready for an 
undertaking of such magnitude. It was not until the following 
autumn that the agitation begun in June began to take shape, when 
a committee, consisting of Fred L. Emerson, William 0. Dapping, 
Howard R. Merritt, Thomas F. Dignum and George B. Stewart, 
was appointed to investigate the working of the plan in other places 
and its applicability to Auburn. The whole subject was considered 
fully. A meeting of the Mayor's Committee was held, at which 
the scheme was discussed at length. Syracuse and Rome were vis- 
ited. Correspondence was had with them, with Ithaca and other 
cities. The various plans in use in other places were studied and 
compared. Many meetings of the sub-committee were held. In- 
dividual citizens were interviewed. As a result, the above special 
committee recommended to the Mayor's Committee and to the cit- 
izens, the organization of a War Chest. On December 4, 1917, the 



26 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

recommendation was adopted and the work of incorporating and 
organizing the Auburn War Chest for handling all the drives and 
appeals for money to be used for war purposes was immediately 
begun and energetically pushed. To no one more than to Mr. Fred 
L. Emerson, is credit due for the successful prosecution of this 
gigantic undertaking. It was due to his skillful organizing, his 
tireless energy, his self-sacrificing devotion to the job through a 
period of two months that the scheme was carried to a crowning 
issue. Our citizens responded in spirit and subscriptions quite be- 
yond all anticipations. The plan of subscriptions to be paid month- 
ly through the year 1918, or until the end of the war was adopted 
and resulted in subscriptions by 16,197 subscribers out of a popu- 
lation of about thirty-five thousand. The subscriptions for the 
year aggregated $396,829. Of this amount, about $350,000 was 
paid in. 

The War Chest continued to receive voluntary contributions 
during the first three months of the year 1919, which brought the 
total receipts to over $401,000. 

No one thing done by the Mayor's Committee has had more far- 
reaching results. 



CARE OF SERVICE MEN AND THEIR DEPENDENTS. 

This Committee inaugurated its work by appointing the fol- 
lowing sub-committees to care for our men in the service and for 
their dependents : Soldiers' families and Relief, Gerald Boardman, 
Chairman, Arthur E. Adams, Mrs. Gorton W. Allen, Mrs. H. Dutton 
Noble, Jr. Medical Care: Arthur H. Brown, M. D., Chairman, 
Louis F. O'Neill, M. D., Chairman succeeding the late Dr. Brown. 
Legal Advice: John Van Sickle, Chairman, H. Dutton Noble, Jr., 
John Taber. 

They immediately entered upon their duties and were the first 
agencies at work in this field of ministry to our men and their fam- 
ilies. Later on, the All-Auburn Women's Auxiliary to the Mayor's 
Committee, of which your Chairman was was made Chairman, ap- 
pointed a Committee on Soldiers and their Dependents with Mrs. 
Arthur Titus as Chairman, and Mrs. Joseph F. Raesler, Mrs. P. T. 
Quigley and Mrs. Morton Oltz as members. This committee worked 
in conjunction with your sub-committees in this field and was financ- 
ed by the Mayor's Committee. 

Still later, the Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red 
Cross became active in this field through its Committee on Civilian 
Relief, of which Mr. Herbert G. Robinson and Miss Lillian M. Hoag, 
Secretary of the United Charities Association were Chairman and 
Secretary respectively. 



Care of Service Men and Dependents 27 

In the progress of time it became evident that the best results 
could only be obtained by unifying the activities of these several 
committees. Frequent conferences of the representatives from this 
Committee, the Women's Auxiliary, and the Red Cross Chapter 
v^^ere held with this object in view. Finally a plan was adopted that 
was entirely satisfactory to all parties in interest. The Red Cross 
Chapter following the new organization recommended for the local 
chapters by the American Red Cross, changed the Civilian Relief 
Committee to the "Home Service Section," and in order to unify 
this work under one head, prevailed upon your chairman to become 
the chairman of the "Section." This Home Service Section, the 
Women's Auxiliary Committee on Soldiers and their Dependents, 
and your three sub-committees on Soldiers' Families and Depend- 
ents, Medical Care and Legal Advice, were consolidated into a Relief 
Committee under the general chairmanship of your Chairman, with 
headquarters in the office of the Auburn War Chest. The work of 
the Relief Committee was to be financed by the Auburn War Chest 
through the Mayor's Defense Committee, and the committee was to 
report to the three organizations. 

In a degree, the County Defense Committee was involved in 
this reorganization of the Relief Work, so that from that time the 
relief work in the county was to be attended to by this new Relief 
Committeee operating through the Home Service Sections of the 
several County Branches of the Red Cross Chapter, which were to 
finance their respective operations. 

This plan became effective in the latter part of March, 1918, 
and has worked to the entire satisfaction of all the organizations 
and has proved to be a most economical and efficient way for doing 
the vast amount of work falling to the Relief Committee. All of the 
work has been performed by volunteer workers, who have person- 
ally borne such expenses as they incurred. In February, 1919, the 
work had grown to such proportions that it was found necessary 
to employ an office secretary. 

The Final Report of the Committee is herewith attached and 
is made a part of this report. It will be noted that the Committee 
has not failed in a single instance to give full and heedful attention 
to every case of Service man or family that has come to its atten- 
tion, and in every case has rendered assistance in the fullest meas- 
ure according to its best judgment. If there has been in the city 
of Auburn a worthy case of a Service man or his family suffering 
without relief from this Committee, it may be confidently affirmed 
it was because the Committee did not know of it* 

The Mayor's Committee has received for this relief work from 
the Auburn War Chest $6,450. Of this amount, there remains 
with our Treasurer $1,542.11. On the recommendation of the 
Relief Committee, the Executive Council directed our Treasurer 

*Appendix I. Report of Relief Committee. 



28 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

to pay this unexpended balance to the Treasurer of the Cayuga 
County Chapter of the American Red Cross to be used for the 
Relief Work of its Home Service Section. 

The magnitude and varied character of the v^ork of the Gen- 
eral Relief Committee, to whose report reference has just been 
made, must not be allowed to obscure the work done during the 
fifteen months your three committees on Soldiers and their De- 
pendents were working independently, or in connection with the 
Women's Auxiliary. The dislocation of our men entering the 
service from their business and families, created many financial 
problems for them and their dependents which your committees 
helped them to solve with comfort and satisfaction. Your sub- 
committees used in this period $1,864, and the Women's Auxiliary 
drew from our Treasury $325 for the same purpose. 

Therefore, through this organization the citizens of Auburn 
have expended since we entered the War in April, 1917, in this 
Relief Work about $7,100. 

Labor, tact, sympathy, good judgment were all in demand, 
and at no point did your sub-committees fail to give a good account 
of themselves in these respects in the performance of their task. 



WOMAN'S NATIONAL SERVICE AND 
WOMAN'S AUXILIARY. 

Woman's part in war is not that of passive suffering merely, 
much as she is called upon to bear of that. Without her active aid, 
the work of the men at home and at the Front would be sadly crip- 
pled. Therefore, as your committee was composed entirely of 
men, it was soon found we could not go far in the discharge of the 
duties entrusted us without the help of the women of the town. 
Fortunately for us, there was called into being about this time, 
the Woman's Commission for National Service and a strong Chap- 
ter was organized here under the leadership of Mrs. Gorton W. 
Allen. Mrs. Allen mobilized in a most efficient way the woman- 
power of the town, so that when your committee had need of wo- 
men for voluntary clerical, type-writing, stenographic work, sew- 
ing, canvassing, making surveys, driving automobiles, she was 
able to meet our needs on short notice with an adequate supply of 
efficient and cheerful workers. Notably was this the case in the 
State Military Census and Inventory, where Mrs. Allen and her 
well-organized contingent of women labored incessantly for many 
days, thus making the Census the fine success it was. 

After some months of invaluable service the organization was 
merged into the Red Cross Chapter and similar organization, hav- 
ing served well a pressing need, before the other organizations got 
under way in its special field. 



Woman's National Service and Auxiliary 29 

In the spring of 1917, the Company M Woman's Auxiliary, 
which on the first intimation that their men would be called out, 
had been busily engaged in getting ready to look after their com- 
fort, saw that there were other men than their own from Auburn 
in the Service and that other women than themselves were inter- 
ested in the very work they were doing. Therefore, under the 
leadership of Mrs. Joseph F. Raesler, of precious memory, the 
organization re-organized as the All-Auburn Women's Auxiliary, 
with a view of enlisting in its activities, all of the women of the 
town, especially those who had men in the service. It became an 
Auxiliary to the Mayor's Committee. The membership grew to 
more than one hundred. These women met once a week until the 
Armistice, and spent the afternoon in sewing. They also took sew- 
ing and knitting to their home. Many were the sweaters, socks, 
wristlets and other useful articles which they made for our Au- 
burn boys. They sent out a thousand and more Christmas boxes 
for the Holiday Season, 1917. In order that their organization 
might be in the closest co-ordination with your committee, they 
requested your Chairman to serve as their Chairman, which honor- 
able position he held until the May of this year, when the organi- 
zation re-organized and returned to its original purpose as an 
Auxiliary to Company M. , 

The real work of directing its activities fell to Mrs. P. T. 
Quigley, 1st Vice-Chairman, Mrs. William L. Hodder, 2nd Vice 
Chairman, and the other officers and committee-women. This was 
a most useful aid to your committee and too much praise cannot 
be given to those faithful, energetic and self-denying women for all 
the valuable service they rendered our men in the service. 

Reference is made to Mrs. Raesler. She was a woman, whose 
tireless and unconquerable spirit, drove her beyond her physical 
strength. She was most patriotic and gave without a murmur, 
her two sons to the Cause, one of whom, Myron, fell on the battle 
field, and the other, Archie, has returned bearing the marks of the 
Great Conflict in his honorable wounds. The mother soon wore 
herself out in her zealous endeavors for the Cause and made her 
supreme sacrifice before the news reached Auburn of the casualties 
her sons had suffered in the same battle. The heroes at home were 
as noble as those on the battle-field and Mrs. Raesler was one of 
the former, and her two sons were among the latter. 

Col. Kennedy's Circle of the G. A. R., and the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union worked with your committee in furnish- 
ing *'comf ort kits" for the men as they left Auburn and in provid- 
ing in other ways for their comfort while in the cantonments. 



30 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

MILITARY CENSUS. 

One of the first undertakings of the State Administration, 
after we entered the War was to make an exhaustive census and 
inventory of the State, and the Defense Committees of the State 
were the agencies through which this work was to be done. Each 
county was expected to bear the expense through appropriations 
for the purpose, by the Boards of Supervisors, who by legislative 
enactment were given full authority for such appropriations. 

Mr. Joseph S. Hanlon had charge of the work in the city, while 
Cicero J. Warne had charge of the work in the county outside of 
the city. Miss Pauline Titus put at the disposal of Mr. Hanlon 
and his workers, her dancing school, 79 Genesee Street, third floor, 
without charge, where for several weeks a large corps of volunteer 
workers collated the returns, tabulated the results, made out re- 
ports, which were sent to the State Census Office in New York. 
The Census was taken by several hundred volunteer workers or- 
ganized under captains and lieutenants. 

The city was divided into districts and sub-districts, and each 
census taker, wearing a badge and having a credential card, was 
assigned a small section. The canvass was practically completed 
in a single day, and so perfect was the organization and so zealous 
were the workers that the results were most satisfactory. 

An aggregate of thirteen working days were consumed in the 
actual field work, while for thirty-eight days and sixteen nights 
the headquarters were open. Four hundred and thirty-two per- 
sons performed the task, and a fair estimate of the average amount 
of time each gave voluntarily and without compensation would be 
eight hours, making a total of 3,456 hours. The results of the 
census were that we found we had male citizens of military age 
(18-46), excluding male citizens of Federal Draft age (21-31), 
4,453; Male citizens of Federal draft age (21-31) 2,127; Male 
aliens, 1,736; Male citizens (16-18, 46-51) 1,256; Female aliens, 
1,668; Female citizens, 8,070, total 19,310. 

The only expense the committee incurred was for postage, 
printing, stationery, telephone, and a small item for clerical hire. 
The total expense for city and county census was $575.26, which 
was generously carried by the Supervisors. 



DEFENSE AND SECURITY COMMITTEE. 

The removal of Company M from the city shortly after we 
began our work, left the city without any military protection, al- 
though after a few weeks there was begun the work of recruiting 
a new Company M of the National Guard. This defenseless con- 



Defense and Security Committee 31 

dition of our city in view of the possibilities of local individual or 
group attack upon life and property, gave us much solicitude. It 
was decided that we should have a body of men drilled and armed 
ready for any local disturbance or like emergency that might arise. 

A sub-committee on Home Defense and Security, was appoint- 
ed consisting of Samuel E, Hillger, Chairman, John Van Sickle, 
Charles A. Wright, Edward Guilfoil, J. Reynolds Wait, Alan 
Stout, Prof. Harry L. Reed and Dr. Thomas F. Laurie. This com- 
mittee at once began the organization of a Company for Home De- 
fense. The committee met with good success and from among 
the many men who offered their services they had no difficulty in 
selecting the requisite number who were able to pass the physical 
examination and to meet the other requirements. One of the em- 
barassments that the committee encountered was in the fact that 
many of the members of the company desired to get more actively 
into the war game than was possible in this company and hence, 
there were resignations from time to time of men who enlisted in 
the National Guard, or the federal army or who entered some other 
more active war work. While the committee was happy whenever 
a man resigned for any of these reasons, it found its work of keep- 
ing the company up to full strength with desirable men greatly in- 
creased thereby. 

Full recognition and appreciation should be given to the Board 
of Supervisors for their generous and patriotic support of this 
effort adequately to furnish protection to the lives and property of 
the citizens of the city and county during a period when there were 
lurking perils of unknown character at the dawn and close of every 
day. Those best able to judge, frequently expressed the opinion 
that the preventive influence of the existence of this well-trained 
and able company of determined men was very great, and that in 
the event of the need arising it would have been a valuable asset 
to the military and police authorities of the county. 

Too much praise cannot be given to the officers and men of 
this company for the fine spirit and splendid morale displayed, and 
for the unusual fidelity with which they responded to the duties 
imposed upon membership in the company. Many of these men 
carried heavy responsibilities in their daily life and yet week after 
week they gave their valuable time to it without grudging and 
with noble enthusiasm. The soldierly qualities and ability of Cap- 
tain Aubin and his lieutenants, Dolan and Raguse, and the serious 
devotion of the men inspired confidence that this company, had it 
been called into service, would have given a good account of itself. 
As it was, the consciousness that it was a valuable piece of pre- 
paredness fully justified its organization and maintenance for a 
year and a half. 

On the recommendation of this committee, the musical instru- 
ments which were purchased for this company and are the prop- 



32 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

erty of this committee, have been loaned to the "Officer-in-Charge, 
Auburn Division Military Training Commission, State of New 
York" for the use of the State Cadet Corps in this city, and they 
have been given into the custody of the present Officer-in-Charge, 
Lieutenant Spicer, Company M, 3rd Inf. N. Y. N. G. This property 
consist of 4 snare drums, 4 drum belts, 4 pairs of drum sticks, 1 
pair of cymbals. 

This Committee showed great tact and expended much labor 
in the performance of their delicate and arduous task. 

Its report accompanies this report and is a part thereof.* 



MILITARY COMMITTEE. 

This committee was composed of Hon. Charles W. Brister, 
Chairman, Gregg W. Irwin, John F. McGrath, Dr. M. P. Conway, 
Gorton W. Allen, Rev. Crandall J. North. Before the draft law be- 
came operative, the Federal authorities sought our assistance in 
obtaining recruits for the various branches of the service, and this 
assistance was given through the energetic labors of this committee, 
which in the city and throughout the county ably co-operated with 
the national recruiting agents. Assistance was also given to the 
State officers who were creating a new State Guard to take the place 
of the Old National Guard, sworn into Federal service. 

When the draft contingents began to be called, this committee 
arranged for a fitting "send off" for each one of these contingents. 
The first thing it did for these drafted men was to provide a banquet 
in the Masonic Building for them. To this banquet were invited all 
the men in the city and county who were subject to the first call, 
although they would go in contingents of varying sizes and at differ- 
ent dates. This banquet was given in the first week in September, 
1917, and there were present about 150 drafted men as guests of 
honor. Patriotic ardor ran high at this time, and the speeches and 
singing bore testimony to the whole-hearted devotion of these select- 
ed men to the great and perilous task to which their country called 
them. Subsequently, as each contingent left the city this committee 
provided instrumental and vocal music, speaking, and escorts from 
the City Hall, and the Post office, the places of rendezvous for the 
county and city men respectively, to the railway stations, where the 
men were entrained. On one occasion the two contingents were so 
large that it was found necessary to have them both rendezvous at 
the State Armory. These were occasions of great interest to our 
citizens generally, as well as to the families and friends of the men, 
and no matter what the inconvenience of the hour or the inclemency 
of the weather, many thousands assembled to bid the men Godspeed 

♦Appendix II. Report of Committee on Defense and Security. 



Military Committee 33 

and good cheer on their high mission. Properly to arrange for these 
events and successfully to carry them through without a single acci- 
dent was no small task and the committee deserves much credit for 
its efforts. This is the more evident when it is reflected that in 
many places the matter of the entrainment of the men and the 
public display resulted in grave confusion and personal injury to 
over-eager friends and neighbors, so that the State authorities 
forbade these assemblages. 

In their work, the committee was ably assisted by the City 
Police, Street Department, Uniformed Rank of Maccabees, the 
Auburn Draying Company, Mr. John J. Breslin and many individ- 
ual citizens. The Auburn Draying Company furnished free bag- 
gage transportation in every instance and Mr. Breslin organized 
a choir which under his inspiring conducting led the singing and 
the cheering of the crowds. 

During the winter of 1917-18, the Federal government in- 
augurated a motor transport service from Buffalo through Auburn 
to New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore. This brought 
many trains of motor trucks through Auburn, which with their 
guards of soldiers made convoys of men often numbering over one 
hundred. 

Frequently these convoys remained over night and almost in 
every instance they were here for a meal. At the beginning of 
this motor transport service this committee was notified two or 
three hours in advance of the arrival of a convoy and what would 
be expected of us in the way of entertainment and care. These 
expectations were always met to the fullest need. Parking places 
were selected, pathfinders were sent out to meet the incoming and 
accompany the out-going convoys, meals and shelter were pro- 
vided, medical attendance furnished, the comfort and pleasure of 
the men looked after regardless of cost in time, money, effort. The 
uniform testimony of the officers in command and of the men was 
to the effect that no where did they find such perfect arrangements 
or such satisfactory reception. As the Government got this serv- 
ice organized and its details perfected, it adopted the wise policy 
of requiring them to pass directly through the cities and towns on 
the route, to cook their meals in the country by the roadside and 
to sleep in their trucks. Citizens were requested not to detain 
the convoys with entertainment or to show them any attentions 
except when requested so to do by the commanding officer. Until 
this change in Government policy became fully known to the public 
your committee was criticised for its apparent neglect of the con- 
voys, and frequently it was difficult to convince enthusiastic people 
that neither they nor we were allowed to show attentions to 
these men, much as we should have liked to do. These regulations 
tended greatly toward promoting the morale of the service and its 
efficiency, and at the same time relieved your committee of further 
duties of this kind. 



34 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

As Auburn is not on the main railroad lines there was almost 
no occasion for canteen work, and when it was needed it was fully 
cared for by this committee. During the winter of 1917-18 there 
were several transfers of detachments of Aviator Cadets between 
the Ground School at Cornell and those at other places which in- 
volved their passage through Auburn. In every instance this Com- 
mittee in an ample way looked after their comfort and welfare, 
providing meals and entertainment for them during their stay in 
Auburn, which in some cases extended to a larger part of a day. 
They were given sleigh-rides by the Auburn Draying Company 
without expense to them or to your Committee, free use of their 
baths and other privileges by the Y. M. C. A., and the K. of C, 
Elks, Masons, and many attentions from individual citizens. 

In short this committee consciously omitted nothing that 
would add to the comfort or happiness of our own men or others 
in transit through the city, or would promote the morale or effec- 
tiveness of our fighting men. It was often called upon at short 
notice to do what seemed to be the impossible and throughout our 
connection with the war it was constantly subject to small requisi- 
tions which in the aggregate bulked large. At no point did it fail 
in the full and satisfactory performance of its duty. 



PUBLICITY COMMITTEE. 

Quite in accord with the spirit of the time, the committee rec- 
ognized that an important part of its work would be the formation 
of public opinion and that this could best be done through the press 
and public meetings. Men accustomed to this kind of work were 
needed in order that it be done with discretion and skill. Mistakes 
of judgment or indifference to task or inability to obtain informa- 
tion might not only deprive our great Cause of the adequate sup- 
port of the public but might result in actual injury to it. We were 
fortunate in securing for the Sub-committee on Publicity and 
Speakers, gentlemen who met in a most gratifying way the condi- 
tions essential to the effective performance of these duties. Hon. 
Richard C. S. Drummond, Chairman, William 0. Dapping, and 
Ploward R. Merritt accepted appointment on the committee and 
from the beginning were diligent in the performance of their 
duties. 

The Committee not only carried the work within the city, but 
it did an important service to the county and beyond in furnishing 
speakers for the patriotic meetings that were held during the 
period at picnics, institutes, in the villages and cities within a 
radius of a hundred miles or more of the city. Many requests were 
made for speakers and while it was not always easy to comply with 



Hospitals and Supplies Committee 35 

these requests the committee often at great personal inconvenience, 
did not fail in a single instance to meet the wishes of those apply- 
ing to it.* 



TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE. 

It was recognized that occasion might arise in which national, 
state, or local interests would require large and prompt transpor- 
tation facilities for men or material and that it would be too late 
to prepare for meeting it after the occasion arrived. Therefore, 
Mr. James A. Wilson, the head of the Auburn Draying Company, 
consented to serve as chairman of a transportation committee. 
Mr. Wilson made all necessary arrangements for a quick and ade- 
quate meeting of all probable demands for transport service and 
had the occasion come for such service we would have been found 
fully prepared. There never was any necessity for utilizing these 
facilities. 

There was one form of transport service, however, which was 
of great sentimental as well as practical value. The men who left 
Auburn from time to time for the cantonments, had luggage, which 
for the whole contingent aggregated a large amount, often requir- 
ing several trucks. Mr. Wilson, with the trucks of the Auburn 
Draying Company, was always on hand for the transportation of 
this luggage from the rendezvous to the place of entrainment. This 
was done when Company M went to Fort Niagara, and on six other 
occasions when the contingents of city and county draftsmen were 
called. This service and also frequent other transport service of 
which no record was kept was performed by the Auburn Draying 
Company without charge and with a fine patriotic spirit. 



HOSPITALS AND HOSPITAL SUPPLIES COMMITTEE. 

In the early days of the War there was throughout the land 
a conviction that before we got through with the business there 
would be need for all of the hospital facilities in the country. This 
feeling was shared in this city and, therefore, a Sub-committee 
with Dr. M. P. Conway as Chairman was appointed to make an 
inventory of our hospitals and hospital facilities and be prepared 
for any emergency demand the Government might make in this 
respect upon this community. 

From time to time as the war progressed the liklihood of some 
demand of this nature became insistent and then lapsed. Our 
Sub-committee was in touch with the situation at all times, and 

♦Appendix III. Report of Sub-Committee on Publicity. 



36 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

would have been ready to respond in an ample way to any sudden 
request. For example, the Theological Seminary had purchased 
additional equipment and formed its organization so that on a 
moment's notice it could have provided comfortable accommoda- 
tions for one hundred and twenty men, and more if necessary. 
Many private homes were voluntarily offered for the same pur- 
pose and had the occasion arisen many more would have been 
offered. The first home to be offered to the committee was that of 
Rev. Crandall North, D. D., a civil war veteran, who with his daugh- 
ters were ready to give their home and themselves to this noble 
service. There is no doubt that we were in a position on the short- 
est notice to have furnished accommodations for four or five hun- 
dred sick or wounded men. Happily there was no occasion to use 
these generously offered facilities. 



FOOD AND THE WAR. 

"Food will win the war" was a popular slogan through the 
strenuous period of actual hostilities, but before the slogan was 
sounded, your committee had foreseen the vital relation of food 
to war and had matured plans for increased production of food 
and other essentials. As our work advanced we modified from 
time' to time our organization, but always in the interest of increas- 
ed activity and efficiency. 

In due time we had the following committees working in this 
field and all of them performing important functions. Farm Labor 
Utility Committee, City Labor Utility Committee, Food Production 
and Conservation Committee, Home Garden Committee, and War 
Kitchen Committee. 

All of these committees combined made an aggregate of effec- 
tive service in these fundamental things that can scarcely be over- 
stated. Each is deserving of special mention. 



FARM LABOR UTILITY COMMITTEE. 

Early in the spring of 1917, the federal authorities inaugur- 
ated a campaign for increased production of agricultural products. 
This movement received the endorsement of our State Agriculture 
Department, which secured a large appropriation from the Legis- 
lature for promoting this effort. Your committee realizing the 
important part food would play in the winning of the war, entered 
enthusiastically into the plans for producing more of it. Mr. Leslie 
Woodcock, the Agent in Auburn of the State Employment Bureau, 
was made chairman of a Labor Utility Committee, which soon be- 
came a Farm Labor Utility Committee, with Charles G. Adams, 



Farm Labor Utility Committee 37 

Frank S. Jacques, William H. Depew, Fred H. Wiggins, Charles 
W. Storke, Elmer N. Ross, Frank E. Swift and Henry D. Hervey 
as members. As Mr. Woodcock's official duties were largely with 
farmers, and concerned more particularly the matter of farm labor, 
the work of this committee was confined almost exclusively to 
food production outside of the city. 

The committee organized efficiently for supplying from the 
city laborers for the farms in the county. Men in the shops, offices, 
stores, professions, who were familiar with farm work and cap- 
able of performing it were obtained in considerable numbers for 
work upon the farms for longer or shorter periods, especially dur- 
ing seeding and harvest times. Those who could not be away from 
their homes over night were conveyed without charge by the com- 
mittee, back and forth in automobiles. Farmers were notified of 
available labor and were put into touch with it. The value to the 
farmers and the effect upon the production of food within the coun- 
ty cannot be known, but enough is known to justify the conclusion 
that they were appreciably large. 

The State Department of Agriculture offered to supply on 
generous terms to the committee, farm tractors for plowing and 
fitting the ground for spring crops. The offer came late for spring 
plowing and the time was short for perfecting plans and yet the 
committee courageously took up the work and arranged for four 
tractors for the county. A prolonged and very wet spell of weather 
almost immediately followed, thus making it difficult tp use the 
tractors and almost impossible for them to do their best work. The 
use of tractors in this region was a novelty, and men who under- 
stood their management were not to be had. Therefore, only the 
more progressive of the farmers cared to experiment with them 
and the men in charge proved to be far from competent. These 
were some of the many diffculties which the committee encounter- 
ed. This employment of tractors was liberally criticised and the 
results of the venture were not as satisfactory even to the commit- 
tee as had been anticipated. Yet, at the end of the season, com- 
petent judges estimated that about five hundred acres were put 
under cultivation through their use that would otherwise have 
remained untouched and that the value of the crops thus obtained 
was not far from $40,000. This result alone would seem to justify 
the opinion that, notwithstanding the discouragements incident to 
the experiment, it was far from being an unprofitable one. 

Probably the best result of the tractor experiment was that 
the farmers were made familiar with the farm tractor and were 
able to observe its practicability and value, and in consequence, 
the use of this piece of machinery has been greatly extended. 

Upon the removal from the city of Mr. Woodcock, in the Fall 
of 1917, his place as chairman of this committee was taken by his 
successor in the State Employment Office, Mr. D. Elmer Munro. 



38 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

Under Mr. Munro's leadership the activity of the committee has 
been devoted to securing laborers for the farmers and to publicity- 
through the city and county press and in other v^ays w^ith a view 
to a relief of the perplexing and difficult situation existing in the 
farm labor market. He has proven to be a wise and diligent ad- 
ministrator in this important field of service. 



CITY LABOR UTILITY COMMITTEE. 

It soon became apparent in the work of the Labor Utility Com- 
mittee that the problems of farm labor was different from that of 
city labor, and that if the two were to be successfully solved it 
would be necessary to separate them and to have a committee for 
each. It was decided to leave the farm labor part of the work with 
the original committee and to have a new committee on City Labor 
Utility, with Mr. Charles W. Storke, a member of the original Com- 
mittee, as chairman of it. Because of his personal fitness for the 
position and also because of his official relations, as Secretary of 
the Employers' Association of Auburn, to the Committee's field 
of operation, Mr. Storke proved to be the right man in the right 
place. Associated with him on the committee were Fred W. Jones, 
Charles L. Fetterley, A. E. Ballin, Harold G. Metcalf, Douglas 
Woodruff, George Severson, LeRoy Phelps, all of them active man- 
ufacturers, and representing the largest employers of labor in the 
city. This committee had at all times the whole industrial field 
under its careful scrutiny, and was able to give instant and intelli- 
gent attention to every question that arose. In view of the fact 
that our manufacturies were essential industries and some of them 
were engaged directly in war work, it was necessary that this com- 
mittee should be composed of men who were in a position as were 
these gentlemen, to safeguard our industries as well as to secure 
the necessary labor. 

Special attention was directed toward alien residents and also 
in every case, whether alien or citizen, to employ only loyal and 
trust-worthy people. 

During the war the matter of marking in code, freight cars 
directed to local manufacturers, also the safe-guarding of neighbor- 
ing railroad bridges, protection of our water power used by the 
factories and mills, adequate fire and police protection of manu- 
facturing plants were handled by this committee. A list of all alien 
residents and transients was obtained, and through it the com- 
mittee was at all times advised as to the movements of suspected 
persons so far as related to the manufacturies of the city. 

The fact that no act of violence was attempted in our factories 
and that there was no serious trouble of any kind in any one of 
our industries was due in large measure to the vigilance of the 



Food Production and Conservation 39 

committee and is a tribute to its wise handling of the delicate sit- 
uations that arose. 

The committee was also active in providing employment for 
men desiring it and in seeking workers for the industries needing 
them, so that our labor market was kept in as healthy condition as 
could be expected in times abnormal as have been those of the past 
two years. Neither have deserving men gone without work nor 
have our industries been seriously crippled for lack of employees. 



FOOD PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE. 

Mr. E. C. Weatherby, Manager of the Cayuga County Farm 
Bureau, was asked to organize a committee with a view to the pro- 
motion of increased production of vegetables and the conservation 
of fruits and vegetables. In complying with this request he found 
it desirable to divide the country and city ends of the undertaking 
and assign them to different committees. The country end of this 
work in large measure fell under the direction of the County De- 
fense Committee, but since the city forces were active in good de- 
gree in it and it was interlaced with the city end of the work, it is 
proper that reference to it should be made in this report. 

The report of Mr. Weatherby, which is submitted with this 
report is largely occupied with the conservation part of the work 
in the country districts. This is proper since the committee's 
energies were directed mainly to the work of conservation and 
were only incidentally directed to the production of garden and 
other products in the country. The County Committee had a sub- 
committee on Home Gardens, which did excellent service in the 
field of increased production. 

The effectiveness of this committee was due in large measure 
to Miss Mary E. Bowen, the Food Conservation Agent, who in city 
and county labored untiringly and with great good sense and intel- 
ligence at her task. She was a pioneer in this field, and like most 
pioneers she had to overcome much indifference and active opposi- 
tion, even in the very quarters where she had a right to expect 
co-operation. But her tact, winning personality, and evident mas- 
tery of her department in due time broke down all opposition and 
won her increasing support. 

Mr. Weatherby ably wrought with Miss Bowen in the prosecu- 
tion of this work. The results of their activities and those of their 
fellow-workers in city and county are measured not only in larger 
yields of food products and in the preservation of surplus food, but 
in the dissemination of information about food values, methods of 
wise and economic cooking and household management, and house- 
wifely duties generally.* 

♦Appendix IV. Report of Food Production and Conservation. 



40 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

HOME GARDEN COMMITTEE. 

This sub-committee began its work as a section of the larger 
committee which covered the whole field of food production and 
conservation in the city and country. But as already intimated, it 
soon became apparent that there were two separate fields to be 
covered, the country and the city, and the section having charge 
of the City Home Gardens early became an independent committee, 
leaving the country end to the original committee, which under- 
went re-organization, with a new personnel as previously mention- 
ed. Mr. Weatherby remained chairman of the City Home Garden 
Committee, and also of the country Food Production and Conserva- 
tion Committee. While this laid a double duty upon him it enabled 
the two committees to work in harmony and mutual helpfulness. 

The Home Garden Committee consisted of Edwin C. Weather- 
by, Chairman, John Macintosh, Secretary, J. Reynolds Wait, C. A. 
Clark, S. L. Depew, Mrs. David Wadsworth, Jr., John VanSickle, 
Leslie Woodcock, and J. A. Hunter. This committee worked un- 
tiringly through the summer of 1917 and as its report shows ac- 
complished substantial results. 

Early in the spring of 1918, the committee was re-organized 
with J. Reynolds Wait as Chairman, and members, C. A. Clark, 
John VanSickle, E. C. Weatherby, Henry D. Hervey, and E. J. 
Flynn. 

Conditions during this second season were different, due to 
general conditions and also to the permanent excellent results of 
the previous summer. The committee adapted its work to the new 
conditions and the outcome of the work was as gratifying as in 
the preceding year. The two chairmen deserve much credit for 
their gift of time and labor, for it was due largely to them that the 
results were so gratifying.* 



WAR KITCHEN COMMITTEE. 

In the spring of 1918 there was appointed a sub-committee to 
have charge of the conservation of fruit and vegetables. This 
action grew out of the experience of the preceding summer with 
the War Garden Work. The production end of our efforts to in- 
crease food supply had been satisfactorily carried forward, but it 
was evident that a considerable part of the food thus produced 
must be cared for if it was to be available for use during the fall 
and winter. While many of the housewives knew how to can veg- 
etables and fruits and were provided in their own homes with the 

♦Appendix V. Report of Home Garden Committee. 



Motor Vehicles and Operators 41 

facilities for doing the work, yet observation and investigation 
revealed that their number w^as smaller than was commonly sup- 
posed. Hence, the committee undertook two lines of activity, to 
give instruction by competent teachers to those desiring it in the 
best modern methods for canning, to furnish the facilities for this 
work to those who did not have them in their own homes and to pur- 
chase and can the surplus vegetables and fruits in the markets and 
from the dealers, which otherwise would have been an entire or 
partial loss. 

The Committee consisted of Edwin F. Metcalf, chairman, and 
Courtney C. Avery, Mrs. Lawrence R. Boden, Mrs. Albert H. Hamil- 
ton, Miss Louise Montgomery, Miss Mary C. Bowen. The Chairman 
and his committee met ungrudgingly the large demands upon their 
time which this work made and had the satisfaction of seeing re- 
sults far beyond the most optomistic expectations. The report of 
the committee accompanies this report.* 



MOTOR VEHICLES AND OPERATORS. 

Dr. Arthur H. Brown, President of the Auburn Automobile 
Club, was asked to serve as a committee on motor vehicles and oper- 
ators with power to associate with him others on the committee. 
He made an inventory of all such vehicles and drivers in the city 
and reported that he was ready to furnish the Government at in- 
stant notice with a full list of all motor vehicles, and their descrip- 
tion, together with a list of men capable of driving the same. In 
case there had been military necessity for it this inventory would 
have been of immense value to the authorities. 

Dr. Brown rendered service also in securing motor cars for 
the committees that were caring for the soldiers and their families 
and the committees having charge of the various "drives" in the 
city and county. The appeals to him as the head of the motor 
vehicle service by many patriotic organizations for free transporta- 
tion were many and were always met by him with promptness 
where it was possible for him to obtain the requisite vehicles. 

By his untimely death a few months ago this committee lost 
a valuable and interested member. He was always faithful in the 
performance of his duties and enthusiastic in his support of our 
work. 



♦Appendix VI. Report of V7ar Kitchen Committee. 



42 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

MILITARY MEMORIAL COMMITTEE. 

Your committee received at its meeting on January 10, 1919, 
a request from the County Defense Committee to co-operate with 
it in devising plans and executing them for erecting a permanent 
memorial in honor of our men who have fallen in the service of 
their country during the recent World War. The matter was dis- 
cussed at length, as to the form the memorial should take, the loca- 
tion of it, the subjects of it, the time for inaugurating the move- 
ment, and other phases of the project. No decision was arrived 
at touching any of the various phases discussed, but there was a 
unanimous sentiment that the city and county should unite in a 
memorial, that it was imperative that there should be a memorial, 
that it should be a dignified and fitting one, and that the earliest 
opportune moment should be embraced for inaugurating the under- 
taking. A committee consisting of John VanSickle, Thomas H. 
O'Neill, Miles Irish, Julius Kraft, Samuel E. Hillger, Harold G. 
Metcalf, William H. Seward, Jr., and George B. Stewart was ap- 
pointed without instructions to co-operate with the committee ap- 
pointed by the Cayuga County Defense Committee for the same 
purpose and to report to the Mayor's Committee. The vacancy 
occasioned in this committee by the death of Thomas H. O'Neill, 
has been filled by the appointment of William K. Payne. 

The report of that committee is herewith submitted and made 
a part of this report. It has also been submitted to the County De- 
fense Committee and the Executive Council of this Committee, and 
their action upon it is appended to it as a part thereof.* 

The matter is one of eminent importance. Unquestionably, 
every citizen of the county and city will watch with interest, the 
maturing and execution of the plans of this World War Memorial 
Association of Cayuga County. 



WELCOME HOME COMMITTEE. 

The report of this committee which is hereto attached deals 
in a most interesting way with one of the activities of the Mayor's 
Committee which possibly provoked the most criticism and yet 
appealed most strongly to the heart of Auburn and Cayuga County. 
The criticism grew out of two attitudes of mind. One was the 
economical attitude, for there were some who thought that too 
much money was spent, and yet not even these critics could charge 
that any money had been wasted or that the things done cost more 
than they ought to have cost. They simply said that the plans should 
have included less expensive features. Here this attitude ran into the 

♦Appendix VII. Report of Military Memorial Committee. 



Special Service Committee 43 

second, which was expressed by those who, possibly not for econom- 
ical but for other reasons, such as those of taste or of personal opinion 
or desire, would have done something different. This "something 
different" might have been less or more than what was actually 
done but at all events it would have been, in their judgment, more 
appropriate and more adequate. It is inevitable that there should 
be such criticism, and especially while the plans of the committee 
were maturing and materializing. The Committee welcomed and 
profited by some of the constructive criticism. It is noteworthy 
and gratifying that as the public saw the finish of the committee's 
labor and realized how complete had been their plans to the minut- 
est detail and marked the unmarred success of every feature of the 
"Welcome Home" to our brave men who from city and county had 
gone forth to do our job for us, the criticism disappeared and 
everybody has been lond in praise of the committee's hard work 
and good judgment. The members appointed by the County Defense 
Committee co-operated in the preparations and bore their part in all 
the work. The Board of Supervisors entered heartily into the plans 
for the "Welcome Home" and made a liberal appropriation toward 
defraying the expenses. The Auburn War Chest was fully advised 
as to the plans of the committee and cheerfully appropriated from 
its funds a large share of the expense. The Cayuga County Chap- 
ter of the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A. and the K. of C. worked dili- 
gently with the committee. The Common Council and the various 
departments of the City Government, especially the Police and 
Street Departments, gave not only approval to the work of the 
committee, but rendered valuable assistance. The Street Depart- 
ment had the difficulty and expense of its task immensely increased 
by the unusual and unexpected fall of snow just prior to the arrival 
of Company M and its Supply Company, and the Parade incident 
thereto, and its successful accomplishment of the task elicited the 
highest commendation. The gratifying achievements of the Wel- 
come Home Committee were possible because of the valued assist- 
ance and co-operation of all these various agencies, to all of which 
a large share of the praise for the success of the undertaking should 
be apportioned* 



SPECIAL SERVICE COMMITTEE. 

On account of the dangers arising from the presence in our 
city and other parts of the country of nationals of the countries 
with which we were at war and of their sympathizers, it was 
deemed imperative that adequate protection should be taken against 
evil-disposed or unbalanced people. Therefore, without announce- 
ment and without the knowledge of others than those directly con- 

*Appendix Vlll. Report of Welcome Home Committee. 



44 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

cerned, the Chairman appointed a committee on "Special Service," 
of which he made chairman, William C. Bell, the Chief of Police. 
Chief Bell associated others with him from time to time as it be- 
came necessary. He was diligent in keeping a close watch upon all 
suspicious persons, whether residents or strangers, and in follow- 
ing up to a finish all rumors or evidence of unlawful conduct. Many 
persons were warned that they must be more discreet in speech or 
behavior, and some were dealt with more severely. We were peculi- 
arly fortunate in that there were no attempts upon the property 
or lives of our citizens, although there might have been, if Chief 
Bell and his assistants had been less alert. If the story of the work 
of this committee could be told it would reveal that there were a 
number of reluctant patriots and of persons who were well-be- 
haved under constraint . 



COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE. 

The Council arranged for a Community Thanksgiving Service 
on November 28, 1918 in the Auditorium, which was participated 
in by ministers and citizens of the various churches, and by those 
with no church affiliation. It was largely attended, the Auditorium 
being full. Rev. Clarence A. Barbour, D. D., of Rochester, N. Y., 
was the speaker. The singing was led by the combined choirs of 
the churches supported by the Salem Town Band. The atmosphere 
was reverently and joyously religious, in harmony with the feeling 
of devout gratitude to the Heavenly Father that the War had been 
brought to a victorious close. 

This is the first time in the history of the city when the whole 
town united in a common religious service and the hope was freely 
and generally expressed that this might not be the last time when 
the whole community should meet for divine worship. It would be 
a most gratifying manifestation of our community interest and 
solidarity if on subsequent Thanksgiving Days we could have sim- 
ilar union services. 



EXPENSE FOR ADMINISTRATION. 

This Committee is justified in having a satisfaction in the 
small item for administration in the Treasurer's Report. It is a 
fact worthy of comment that the varied and multitudinous activi- 
ties of this Committee have been carried forward for two years 
and nine months at a cost for office rent, clerical and other help, 
which may properly be characterized as insignificant. We may 
have further satisfaction in the fact that not a member of the com- 



The Treasury 45 

mittee has received a cent for compensation or even the return 
of money for actual expense incurred in committee work, notwith- 
standing the fact that many members have given large blocks of 
time and spent many dollars in attendance upon this work. Every- 
one worked cheerfully, gratuitously, and without slackness. Ample 
proof of their loyalty. 

Your Chairman wishes to express his deep appreciation of 
the cordial support he has had throughout these months and of the 
courteous treatment everyone has accorded him, even in situa- 
tions and at times when different opinions regarding affairs were 
inevitable among men of independent judgment. We began our 
work together more than two years and a half ago as fellow-citizens 
and acquaintances and we now conclude it as friends with increased 
respect and esteem for each other and a profound sense of our 
community interests. 



APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE. 

As already stated the plan adopted for handling the finances 
of the committee was to have a treasurer, an assistant treasurer, a 
finance committee, and an appropriations and expenditures com- 
mittee. This latter committee consisted of William H. Seward, 
Jr., Chairman; Clarence F. Baldwin, Gorton W. Allen, Thomas H. 
Garrett, Jr., and George B. Stewart, the last three being on the 
committee ex officio, as Chairman of the finance committee, treas- 
urer, and chairman of the committee respectively. No committee or 
officer was allowed to incur obligations without first obtaining an 
appropriation from this sub-committee, and appropriations were 
only made after approval, and when and as the funds in the treasury 
warranted. The hour for the meeting of this sub-committee was 
two-fifteen in the afternoon on the call of the chairman. Frequently, 
this involved several meetings a week. 

The careful and intelligent attention to its duties by this sub- 
committee explains in large part the economical and effective use 
of our funds. The report of the treasurer covers the details of its 
proceedings. 



THE TREASURY 

Not the least interesting part of this report is that which the 
Treasurer provides. It is clear and accurate, two admirable qual- 
ities in a treasurer's report. Some of the items of expenditure are 
considerably reduced when there is deducted from them the credits 
which are given them in the receipt-side of the report. From the 



46 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

report it appears that the committee for all purposes actually dis- 
bursed about $23,000. Far the larger part of this amount went 
directly to the benefit of our own service men and their dependents ; 
as is seen in these items stated in approximate figures: Soldiers' 
dependents, $4,971, Auburn Men in the 108th, $1,252, aid to serv- 
ice men, mostly casualties, $1,408, Home-coming in April, 1919, 
$6,214, Home-coming in September, $3,510, a total of $17,355. It 
is gratifying that about 75 per cent of all the money used by this 
committee was for our noble service men and their families, an 
amount, however, which quite inadequately expressed our sense 
of obligation to them for their sacrifice and service on our behalf. 

In addition to the above amounts, the committee spent in the 
interest of food production and food conservation, a most import- 
ant matter, the following amounts ; for the production of farm pro- 
ducts, Sl,106, for War gardens, 1917, $594, War gardens, 1918, 
$681, War kitchen, 1918, $52, a total of about $2,433. 

A study of the treasurer's report will indicate that most of 
the varied and multiplied activities of the committee were carried 
forward without expense to the committee, the expenses being 
borne by the individual members themselves.* 

The treasurer, Mr. Thomas H. Garrett, Jr., and the assistant 
treasurer, Mr. Sidney J. Aubin, deserve unstinted praise for the 
careful way in which they have administered the funds entrusted 
to them and for their fidelity in the discharge of their laborious 
duties. 



CONCLUSION. 

The aim in making this report has been to give a faithful ac- 
count of the work of this committee. There were so many forms 
of service and so many persons busily engaged upon them that even 
this summary has become long. Yet much has been omitted, which 
if recorded would have made as interesting reading as much that 
has been told. Especially is this true of a multitude of matters 
that arose in the day's work, that were quickly handled and as 
quickly forgotten. There was scarcely a day during the continu- 
ance of the war and even for awhile after the armistice, in which 
some demand did not come requiring immediate attention. This 
would be referred to one or more members of the committee, who 
would thus serve as a special committee and be discharged as soon 
as the particular duty was performed. The work, therefore, of 
many members of the committee has not been mentioned. 
♦Appendix IX. Treasurer's Report. 



Report of the Auburn Relief Committee 47 

Every member of the committee did all that he was asked to 
do and did it cheerfully and well. A more patriotic body of men 
could not have been gathered together, nor one more willing or 
more conscientious in the discharge of the duties assigned to them. 

The occasion for which we were appointed having passed, and 
the work we were apponted to do having been finished to the best 
of our ability, we respectfully make this our final report. 

For the Mayor's Defense Committee of the 
City of Auburn, 

George B. Stewart, Chairman. 
Auburn, N. Y., December 31, 1919. 



APPENDIX I 

Report of the Auburn Relief Committee 

From April, 1918 to Oct. 1, 1919 

A Period of Eighteen Months 

To THE Mayor's Defense Committee, All-Auburn Women's 
Auxiliary, County Defense Committee, and Cayuga Coun- 
ty Chapter, American Red Cross. 

During March, 1918, the reorganization of agencies for the 
care of soldiers and their dependents in the city of Auburn and the 
County of Cayuga was completed. Prior to that time the work 
had been carried forward by several organizations acting inde- 
pendently. 

The first organization in the field was the Mayor's Defense 
Committee, which had a sub-committee for the care of Auburn 
soldiers and their dependents, of which Mr. Gerald Boardman was 
chairman. This sub-committee was constituted in the beginning 
of April, 1917, and was active in the performance of its duties. 
Its expenditures, prior to the reorganization, amounted to $1,864. 

Shortly after the formation of the Mayor's Committee, there 
was organized an All-Auburn Women's Auxiliary, as aid to the 
Mayor's Defense Committee. This Auxiliary had a committee for 
the care of the dependents, of which Mrs. Arthur Titus was chair- 
woman, which committee worked in conjunction with Mr. Board- 
man's committee and was financed by the Mayor's Defense Com- 
mittee. This committee expended $325, 



48 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

In the same month of April, 1917, the Cayuga County Defense 
Committee was appointed by the Governor, and among the duties 
of this committee were those connected with the care of soldiers 
and their dependents within the county. This committee, in the 
early months of the war, had but little to do along these lines, and 
what it did was attended to by individuals in the several localities 
where there were cases requiring attention. No money was hand- 
led for this work by the committee. 

Some months later the Cayuga County Chapter of the Ameri- 
can Red Cross undertook to work in the same field, through what 
was then called the Civilian Relief Committee, with Miss Hoag, 
the representative of the Associated Charities, as secretary. Miss 
Hoag was faithful, capable and efficient, and it was a loss to the 
work when she removed from the city. 

It soon became apparent that with three organizations work- 
ing in the city, namely, the Mayor's Defense Committee's Sub- 
Committee, the All-Auburn Women's Auxiliary's Committee and 
the Red Cross Civilian Relief, later styled, "Home Service Section," 
and two organizations working in the County, namely, the County 
Defense Committee and the Red Cross Civilian Relief of the Cayuga 
County Chapter and its Branches, there were duplications of effort, 
loss of effectiveness, and waste of power. 

A conference of representatives of these organizations result- 
ed in the drafting of a plan for the consolidation of the relief work, 
which received the approval of all of them and which with some 
slight modifications due to experience has been the scheme for the 
prosecution of the work through the past eighteen months. The 
arrangement has proved to be a most satisfactory one, and briefly 
stated is as follows : 

(1) That the Cayuga Chapter re-organize its Home Service 
Section with George B. Stewart as chairman. (2) That a relief 
committee be consituted, consisting of the Mayor's Defense Com- 
mittee's Committee on Soldiers and their Dependents, the Relief 
Committee of the Woman's Auxiliary, and the Home Service Sec- 
tion of the Red Cross Chapter, and that all of the members of the 
Relief Committee be regarded as members of the several commit- 
tees uniting in it. (3) That the Chairman of the Relief Committee 
be the newly appointed chairman of the Home Service Section, he be- 
ing also the Chairman of the Mayor's Defense Committee and of 
the Women's Auxiliary. (4) That the Chairmen of the Mayor's 
Committee's Legal and Medical Committees, John VanSickle, Esq., 
and Arthur H. Brown, M. D., be members of the Relief Committee. 
(5) That all the relief work in the city be financed by the Mayor's 
Committee and in the County by the Red Cross Branches for their 
respective communities. (6) That the Auburn War Chest furnish 
the funds for the city work through the Mayor's Committee. (7) 
That the legal and medical committees of the Mayor's Committee 



Report of the Auburn Relief Committee 49 

have charge under the Relief Committee of the matters belonging 
to them respectively. (8) That the relief work in the county be 
in charge of the respective Red Cross Branches under the direction 
of the central Relief Committee. (9) That the Headquarters of 
the Relief Committee be at the Auburn War Chest. (10) That the 
Relief Committee make full report of its work to the American Red 
Cross through the Cayuga County Chapter. 

The Relief Committee thus constituted, consisted of the above 
mentioned Chairman and Mr. Gerald Boardman, Mr. Arthur E. 
Adams, Miss Pauline Titus, Mrs. H. Button Noble, Jr., Mrs. Arthur 
Titus, Mrs. P. T. Quigley, Miss Margaret Brown, M^^^- ^^^rtpn f^^^" 
?vrS^c^^'^ bps-iin in the latter part of March, i^l-8, under this new 
arrangt.....^^- ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ actively Dro<=oeuCed until the present. 

All the members, w ^^.o nieasure of their opportunity, have 
rendered effective service. An ---^.^.^^.i- ^-^^^ Anne without expense 
to the Committee until February, 1919, when it Had ^rown xo sutii 
proportions that it was found to be necessary to employ a secretary. 
Mrs. Howard E. Ensor was engaged as secretary, to serve for a 
half of each day. She is still serving with great acceptance in this 
capacity. Expenses incurred by the members of the committee, 
and they have not been small, have been borne by them, and have 
not been charged against the work. 

The work has been varied to an almost incredible degree, and 
it is impossible to convey in a brief report, such as this, an ade- 
quate notion of its variety and extent. The committee has obtained 
homes for little children, employment for women, adjusted all 
sorts of marital difficulties, looked after the sick, handled cases of 
deserters from the service, rented houses, moved families, paid 
taxes, borne traveling expenses, buried the dead, comforted the 
afflicted, conserved business interests, dealt with landlords, pur- 
chased coal and household supplies, investigated home conditions 
for the satisfaction of absent soldiers, and the soldier's condition 
for the satisfaction of the home people, and carried forward an 
extensive correspondence for the folks at home, the men in the 
service, the Red Crss Headquarters and many of the Chapters, and 
different departments of the Government. 

The Committee has been a clearing house for all sorts of infor- 
mation pertaining to the allotments and allowances of dependents, 
civil rights and military interests of the men in the service, com- 
pensation, requests for discharges, vocational training, casualties. 
We have not only given information touching these matters, but 
we have been influential and effective in bringing hundreds of 
cases to a satisfactory issue. We have endeavored to be of the ut- 
most service in every case and, therefore, no case has been too 
trivial, too disagreeable, too unnecessary, too troublesome for us to 
follow to the end. 



50 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

Where financial aid was needed we have given it, either as loan 
or out-right gift in such amount and in such manner as our best 
judgment, enlightened by careful and personal investigation in 
every case, seemed to warrant. In many cases we have been com- 
pelled, regretfully, to decline financial help to the dependent or to 
the soldier, either wholly or in the amount desired, but only when to 
our best judgment the circumstances required us to do so. 

Our work has not been confined wholly to our own home men, 
but has been extended to many service men passing through the 
city, some of them worthy and some of them unworthy. To all 
c*iii.^, w£^ cs'^'^^ Tf^^rsonal attention and to all we rendered the service 
the circumstances seotned to warrant. 

A record has been kept of tHe rases w£ TZ^^"^^^ ^^aJ!^^^%?^^ 
less permanent cases, and these havP,, V"''i*^'^ ^^ ^^''f ^^' 

no r^onvt^ has bper- "-^^^ ^^ ^"^ ^-^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ Came before us once 

or twice and merely for counsel or immediate and not future at- 
tention. These averaged over 250 per month, or over five thousand 
during the eighteen months of our activity. 

In addition to the 2,250 men who entered the service of the 
United States from the City of Auburn, there were about 170 who 
entered the Canadian service. To these latter and their depend- 
ents we gave the same attention as to the men in our own service. 
For them we expended about $2,500. 

This service for the Canadian men has been rendered pursu- 
ant to an arrangement between the American Red Cross and the 
British and Canadian Patriotic Society, by which the Red Cross 
cared for the American dependents of British and Canadian soldiers 
and the Patriotic Society did the same for the Canadian dependents 
of American men. The money expended for the Canadian depend- 
ents has been refunded to us by the Patriotic Society. 

In May last, the All-Auburn Women's Auxiliary concluded 
the work for which it was organized and changed the form and 
purpose of its organization. This terminated its connection with 
the relief work. The Mayor's Defense Committee has practically 
finished its work and will shortly go out of existence. With the 
month of September it ended its connection with the relief work 
and its responsibility for financing it. The County Defense Com- 
mittee on December 31, 1918, brought its work to an end, although 
it still retains its organization. Its connection with the relief 
work is also ended. 

This leaves the Home Service Section of the Red Cross as the 
sole responsible agency engaged in this relief work, and upon this 
organization will fall, from October 1st, the entire care of the inter- 
ests of men in active service and their dependents, and also the 
financing of this work. 



Report of the Auburn Relief Committee 51 

As the Home Service Section is the residuary legatee of this 
work, it would seem to the present relief committee that the work 
should remain permanently with the Section. It has the organiza- 
tion, it is the agency recognized by the Government for communi- 
cating with its several departments, it enjoys the confidence of 
the community, and it is well known to the soldiers and their de- 
pendents and is trusted by them. The Red Cross Chapter by every 
consieration may properly expect that this work will be left with 
it and it has signified its willingness to undertake its sole direction. 

As already stated, the Mayor*s Committee through its own 
sub-committee on Soldiers and their dependents and through the 
Women's Auxiliary expended in this work of relief $2,189, before 
the work was taken over by the joint-committee. In addition to 
the above, this Relief Committee has expended a total of $7,892.13 
from April 1, 1918 to October 1, 1919. This amount was expended 
as follows: 

For the families of men in the service, $6,747.14; for men in 
the service, their hospital bills, loans, board, railroad fares, etc., 
$588.17, for postage, stationery, telephones, telegrams, etc., 
$290.82, for clerical help, $266. The Relief Committee received 
for its work, a total of $9,434.24, as follows : from the Auburn War 
Chest $6,450; reinbursement from the Ithaca Red Cross Chapter, 
$1.44; reimbursement from dependent families $468; reimburse- 
ment from British and Canadian Patriotic Fund, $2,511.80 ; return 
of loan to soldier $3. There is in the treasury of the Mayor's De- 
fense Committee for relief work, $1,542.13, which in the judgment 
of the Relief Committee should be given to the Cayuga County 
Chapter of the Red Cross for the Relief Work which is to be car- 
ried forward by the Chapter's Home Service Section in continuance 
of our relief work. This sum is the remainder of the appropriations 
by the Auburn War Chest for this specific purpose, and should be 
returned to the Auburn War Chest if it is not passed on to the Red 
Cross Home Service Section for the purpose for which it was orig- 
inally appropriated. 

It is a pleasure to commend the prompt and hearty way in 
which the British and Canadian Patriotic Fund has reimbursed us 
for monies advanced to the families residing in our county of men 
who were enlisted in the Canadian or British Service. 

It is an occasion for grateful and special note that certain fam- 
ilies, even at great personal sacrifice, but with commendable self- 
respect, reimbursed the Committee for help which we were quite 
prepared to regard as gifts. It thus appears that from the begin- 
ning of our entrance into the War until the present. Auburn has 
expended for the care of the soldiers and their dependents, over 
$7,000, not to speak of the many thousands of dollars that have 
been given privately in unofficial ways. 



52 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

The Auburn War Chest generously allowed the committee 
desk-room in its quarters, 146 Genesee Street, until it had to move 
the latter part of July last. For this and many other courtesies 
we wish to express our grateful appreciation. We especially wish 
to thank it and its Board of Directors for the full and ungrudging 
support which has been given this work by their appropriations 
to it through the Mayor's Committee. 

The Committee gratefully accepted the generous hospitality 
of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce in the offer of desk room in 
its new building, without charge, and on July 10th, 1919, took poses- 
sion of its new quarters. 

Special mention should be made of the valued services of the 
Legal and Medical Committees. These services were many and 
often required professional skill of a high order. They made large 
demands upon the time of the chairmen and their committees. Mr. 
John VanSickle and his associates, and Dr. Arthur Brown and his 
associates made no charge for their services and were most ready 
to render them to the utmost requirements of the individual cases. 
After the untimely death of Dr. Brown, Dr. L. F. O'Neill willing- 
ly took his place as chairman of the Medical Committee, and has 
given gratuitously a large amount of his time to casualty cases and 
to the families needing medical attention. 

The volume of the work is not likely to increase, as the maxi- 
mum amount has already been reached and passed, but it is not 
improbable that more time will be required for the disposal of it. 
The character of it will be different, as there will be less to do in 
the matter of allotments and allowances, fewer occasions for giv- 
ing advice, but more cases for compensation, more cases of distress, 
more need for outside personal investigation and supervision. The 
Government method of handling these matters with which the Sec- 
tion will have to deal, is undergoing a process of much needed re- 
vision, and it is not possible to forecast the effect this will have 
upon the Section's work. The variety in the work will undoubt- 
edly be much lessened, but the demand for tact, care, discriminat- 
ing judgment, will be greater, and doubtless, the expenditures for 
administration and actual relief may be increased. 

One of the first things to be done is to make a card catalog of 
all the men who have been and are still in the service, together with 
certain salient facts regarding them, their past and present circum- 
stances and their dependents. It has not been practicable up to this 
time to make such a catalog, but the time has about come, when it 
can be done, and when done it will be of great help to the Section 
in the performance of its duties. 

If the Cayuga County Chapter deems it wise to undertake 
through its Home Service Section, the new lines of community serv- 
ice advised by the American Red Cross, it would seem to be highly 



Report of Committee of Defense and Security 53 

desirable to keep this new work separate and distinct from the care 
of the Service men and their dependents, as it would be most un- 
fortunate for the impression to get abroad that the service we ren- 
der our soldier men and their dependents is born of the same al- 
truistic consideration as those which inspire the charitable work 
done for the community. Furthermore, the funds for the two kinds 
of activities should be kept distinct. 

The present headquarters of the Committee in the Auburn 
Chamber of Commerce are so well adapted to the purposes and 
methods of this work, that in the judgment of the Committee they 
should be retained for the future prosecution of the work by the 
Home Service Section of the Red Cross. 

The present personnel of the Mayor's Committee's Subcom- 
mittee on Soldiers and their dependents herewith resign their of- 
fice, as there seems to be no further need for them to continue in 
it, since the Red Cross is the logical organization for the work from 
now on. 

The present personnel of Home Service Section having been 
appointed for a specific purpose and to meet a particular situation 
now respectfully resigns and surrenders this work to such hands 
as the Cayuga County Chapter of the American Red Cross may see 
fit to commit it. 

The Relief Committee respectfully offers this Report of its 
activities and surrenders its work, grateful that it has been allowed 
in this way to serve this community and its military men and their 
dependents, while enlisted in the Great World War. 

By order of the Committee, 
October 1, 1919. 



George B. Stewart, 

Chairman. 



APPENDIX II 

Report of Committee of Defense and Security 

The Committee of Defense and Security, a sub-committee of 
the Mayor's Defense Committee, begs leave to submit the follow- 
ing report covering its activities from the time it was appointed to 
the date of its discharge. 

In the early spring of 1917, on the outbreak of war between 
this country and Germany, the Mayor's Defense Committee of the 
City of Auburn, N. Y., was created ; it appointed various sub-com- 
mittees which assumed their several duties without delay. 



54 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

Among these was the Committee on Defense and Security of 
which Samuel E. Hillger was appointed chairman with power to 
select the other members, viz: John VanSickle, Chas. A. Wright, 
J. Reynolds Wait, Edw. J. Guilfoil, Dr. Thos. F. Laurie, and Alan 
D. Stout. 

Dr. Laurie moved from the city and Mr. Stout was compelled 
to devote his time to assist in the organization of the N. Y. Guard 
Company to replace the federalized Company M, serving therein 
as Second Lieutenant until it went out of existence. The others 
continued as active members of the committee. 

This committee as its name indicates, would, under certain 
circumstances, have had a variety of duties, but as this remained 
an orderly community and as we were spared any active hostilities 
within our borders, its duties were light. 

We assisted in procuring recruits for the N. Y. Guard and 
for the Federal Army and, as far as our scope permitted, in other 
activities connected with the prosecution of the War; however, 
the work that absorbed most of the energies of this committee was 
the organization of a company of men for Home Guard duty con- 
sisting of those who, either because of age or other disqualifications 
for active service, yet felt that they had enough energy and stamina 
to perform military duty within certain limits and who felt that 
they wanted to do "their bit." 

The World War had now been in progress three years ; Nation 
after Nation had been drawn into the conflict ; we, alone, of all the 
Great Nations had thus far escaped. Secure, as we fancied, in our 
isolation, remote from the theater of hostilities, we were slow to 
perceive in an ultimate Germanic victory an imminent danger to 
our own country and our democratic institutions. 

Events that should have been illuminating w^e did not correctly 
interpret. Insult and injury had been heaped upon us provoking 
diplomatic protests and demands for explanation, to be answered 
by more or less polite notes seeking as far as possible to cloud the 
issue, to be followed in turn by increased arrogance and further 
injury as we hesitated to resort to force to compel respect for plain 
human rights. 

A few there were, and one pre-eminent, who, perceiving how 
and whither we were drifting, urged us with all their might to pre- 
pare for the inevitable. We paid no heed, with the result that we 
entered the war without any preparation whatever either in theory 
or in fact. 

Then we found ourselves under the necessity of creating huge 
armies in the shortest possible time with our small force of Reg- 
ulars and the National Guard as a nucleus and the only forces im- 
mediately available. 



Report of Committee of Defense and Security 55 

This necessitated the federalization of the National Guard, 
denuding the States of military forces, placing upon each State the 
burden of building one anew to be used specially withm its borders. 

The State of New York prepared to enlist new State Guard 
companies, and its Legislature, forseeing the need of a second line 
of defense, or reserve, in the month of April, 1917 passed an act to 
amend the Military Law, providing for -the service and enrollment 
in organizations of the reserve .i^ili^"' of persons vuunleenng for 
such service. Tint r.i^^^^i^^ subject to military duty." 

Auburn, a manufacturing city in the heart of the State of 
New York, felt that it could not expect immunity from disturbances 
incident to the abnormal conditions brought on by the war, as a 
protection against which, a force in addition to and supplementing 
the Police force should be created. 

Before any definite action could be taken by this committee 
several organizations, urged by their anxiety over reports of 
emisaries and spies then believed to be roaming about the country 
with design to incite uprisings and destruction in the interest of 
Germany, had called upon the Mayor volunteerng for service. 

The chairman of the Mayor's Committee procured from the 
Adjutant General all information available, which at that time 
consisted of Circular No. 1, dated April 25, 1917, Oath of Allegiance 
and Enrollment blanks, and blanks for lists of signatures, on re- 
ceipt of which this committee proceeded without delay to plan for 
the organization of the reserve force which was to consist of one 
company of infantry. 

The Circular provided for each unit a maximum enlistment 
of 100 and a minimum of 57 under two classifications, A and B, the 
former of citizens between the ages of 18 and 45, the latter, between 
the ages of 16 and 18, and 45 and 64. These units when organized, 
recognized and mustered, were to be under the control of the Govern- 
or of the State, subject to such Regulations as he might prescribe; 
they might be ordered for duty in aid of the Civil authorities by 
the Governor, upon the request of the Sheriff of the County or the 
Mayor of the City when it was made to appear to the Governor 
that there existed a breach of the peace, tumult, riot, or resistance 
to process of the State, or imminent danger thereof. These units 
might also be ordered, in case of necessity, by the Governor to re- 
port to the Mayor, Sheriff, or other local officer to perform any 
other duty. 

We had no headquarters, no recruiting office. The lists were 
taken by members of the committee and other aides and circulated 
for signatures; a number signed without solicitation — we recall 
that the chairman of the Mayor's Committee was the first volun- 
teer. The greater number of signatures were obtained in this man- 



56 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

ner; then by means of generous publicity in the two daily papers 
and several public meetings in the Court House our lists were filled 
to the maximum number. 

The Oath of Allegiance and Enrollment blanks were filled out, 
the oaths administered by Notaries who volunteered for this service. 

In this occasion it will be of interest to record that, while in 
the mam those who were approached sympathized with the object 
of the organization, not a lew iicd cental reservations as whether 
all people alike should be amenable to tne lavr. ti,ov were quite 
willing that the law be strictly enforced against one class but in- 
different as to its application to the other; they did not wish to 
ally themselves with a body that might be charged with compelling 
the latter to obey the law ; however this is not the first time that 
this sentiment has come to the surface; it has long been known to 
exist by those who have been interested in military affairs. 

One rather curious case was that of a man who seemed inter- 
ested but upon being informed, in answer to the question as to what 
"there was in it," that there were no salaries or wages paid for 
time spent in drills, said, that he did not care to join — ^that he did 
not wish to spend his time for nothing. Needless to say, we neither 
desired nor did we want men of his attitude. 

The Oath of Allegiance and Enrollment blanks, as issued, con- 
tained no stipulation as to duration of service or a physical exam- 
ination; these were later added — on the face, typewritten "this 
enrollment is binding during the emergency," and on the back — 

*'I have examined... and find him physically fit to 

perform his duties as a member of the Home Defense Corps"— the 
latter to be signed by the examining physician. 

On inquiry as to just what this examination would mean, we 
were told that a "cursory examination" would suffice. 

The good doctors of the city who volunteered their services, 
were somewhat puzzled as to how rigid or how lenient an examina- 
tion would satisfy the State ; however. Dr. John Gerin, an old sur- 
geon of the National Guard, came to the rescue with a plan as to 
scope, which was adopted and the examinations conducted in ac- 
cordance therewith. 

We here think it eminently fitting to express our appreciation 
of the services of the late Dr. A. H. Brown who was prominent in 
this as well as in other activities connected with the prosecution 
of the war. 

During the period of the enlistment the chairman of the 
Mayor's Defense Committee was in frequent correspondence with 
Albany, for, as the rather incomplete blanks indicated, everything 
there was being done in a hurry and under high pressure. There 
was much that was not clear, especially as to equipment and head- 



Report of Committee of Defense and Security 57 

quarters. Brig. Gen. George R. Dyer, in especial charge of Division 
of Reserve Organizations, made a trip through the State, a sort of 
educational campaign. Dr. Stewart and the chairman of this com- 
mittee heard his Rochester address. While v^e knew that such or- 
ganizations were to be m^aintained without expense to the State we 
also knew that the State was in a position to do things for the 
organizations without incurring any extra expense, such as furnish- 
ing headquarters, as the armories would soon be vacated by the 
National Guard Companies. We knew also that our company would 
have to be uniformed and equipped to be of any real service. 

We learned from Gen. Dyer that all the State could do in the 
line of equipment was to provide the company with arms, which it 
hoped to do with the aid of the Federal Government — that it expect- 
ed to be successful in obtaining this aid, but was not certain ; that 
we would probably be able to get the use of the Armory drill hall 
for drill purposes, but that the uniforms we would have to procure 
ourselves, either by purchase or with the aid of the Supervisors 
of the County. 

The uncertainties existing caused confusion and delay; for 
instance, we had a communication dated May 3, 1917, which left 
the question of physical fitness of the applicant to the discretion of 
the County Committee, leaving it optional as to whether such an 
examination be held, stating "it is, however, not required." 

Endeavoring to comply with the spirit of the instructions we 
looked over the applicants as carefully as laymen could, question- 
ing them as to disabilities which we knew would unfit them. 

By circular letter of June 1, 1917, we were notified that a physi- 
cal examination would be required but giving no particulars. On 
June 19th we were again notified that such examination would be 
necessary stipulating that it "should be what is known as a cursory 
examination," and that we should have the sentence previously 
quoted typewritten on the back of each Oath and Enrollment blank. 

In May we received the specifications for uniforms which were 
to be similar to the Army uniform in style but of field gray or slate 
color, the coats with turn-over collars and open lapels (shoulder 
straps omitted), tan shoes, canvas leggings, and gray hats with 
green hat cords ; the color and details of the uniforms were such as 
to make them distinctive and unmistakable. 

The Circular of June 1st called attention to the fact that on 
July 17, 1917, the Federal Government would call into service all 
the National Guard leaving the State without military protection 
and urged the muster in of the Home Defense Corps ; endeavoring 
to comply with this urgent request and learning that it might be 
possible to have the company mustered in on July 23d, Dr. Stewart 
sent out a hurry call for the chairman of this committee ; there was 
a general scurrying around to gather together all the papers, which, 



58 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

to expedite completion, had been divided up between several mem- 
bers of the committee; we hurried our lists and the signed Oaths 
of Allegiance and Enrollment to Albany with some of the Enroll- 
ment blanks incomplete as to medical examination (owing to the 
misunderstanding in regard to the examinations) only to receive 
in reply a communication dated July 26th regretting that our 
papers were not in proper form, that they were returned under 
separate cover, and stating further that the time for mustering in 
without uniforms had been extended to August 5th. 

As we did not have the executed and signed Oaths and Enroll- 
ments which represented the greater part of the work (they were 
not received here although claimed to have been sent) we were 
worse off than before. Then on August 6th we received notice that 
Captain Geo. A. Elliott of the Headquarters Company, 3d Infantry, 
then stationed here, had kindly consented to muster in the Home 
Defense Corps ; that we communicate with him, etc., etc. 

Captain Elliott was interviewed ; it appeared that he was some- 
what in the dark as to just what he was to do ; seeking further light 
he was promptly referred back to his instructions, already in hand, 
— the said instructions appearing to him more opaque than ever. 
While in this quandery his Regiment was ordered away relieving 
him, automatically, of a situation he probably did not enjoy, leav- 
ing us in a fog, with our signed lists in hand but minus the papers 
that were the most important. Of the former we had made copies, 
prudently as we thought ; of the latter copies would have been of no 
value. We were now less ready to be mustered in than before; a 
new Oath of Allegiance and Enrollment blank would have to be 
filled out for each man, the Oath administered anew, and each man 
would have again to undergo a physical examination before we 
again had our necessary papers. However, we were not discourag- 
ed; a committee had been appointed to suggest a captain or other 
officer for the company and another meeting was called at the 
Court House, August 31, 1917, to hear the report and take action 
thereon. 

This Committee recommended Mr. Sidney J. Aubin, who had 
served with the National Guard on the Mexican border, for First 
Lieutenant in command of the Company; Mr. Aubin was duly 
elected and presented, making a brief speech of acceptance; he re- 
quested all members who had had any military experience what- 
ever to meet him directly after adjournment when it was decided 
to hold a further meeting of these gentlemen Tuesday evening, 
September 4, at the Chamber of Commerce Rooms. 

Dr. Stewart offered the use of the Seminary Campus for drill 
purposes and a committee was appointed to try to secure the Arm- 
ory Drill Hall for drills during the fall and winter. Meanwhile, 
on the first of September, there had been a change made in the 
Adjutant General's Office, General Stotesbury being succeeded by 
Gen. Chas. H. Sherrill. 



Report of Committee of Defense and Security 59 

General Sherill was deeply concerned over the organization 
of the N. Y. Guard which up to this time had not progressed satis- 
factorily ; he was giving this matter his special attention to the ex- 
clusion, for the time being, of the Defense Corps — the matter of 
lesser importance. For a time we were in doubt as to whether he 
regarded the latter as even desirable. 

General Orders No. 40 dated September 1, 1917, promulgated 
by the Adjutant General created a stir as witness Circular No. 3 
dated September 13th. This dealt with questions and answers con- 
cerning the N. Y. Guard and the Home Defense Corps, from this 
time on to be known as the Home Defense Reserves with duties 
the same as originally prescribed, the relation of one to the other, 
the possible conversion of the latter, in units or as individuals, into 
the Guard, and leaving the profound impression that the reserves 
had been pushed down one notch lower in scale of importance. 

All this had its effect on our men already chafing under the 
delays and it looked as if the whole thing would be a failure unless 
something were done very soon to "get them busy." 

In order to find out where we really stood and what the atti- 
tude of the Adjutant General really was. Dr. Stewart and the 
Chairman made a trip to Albany to meet, by appointment, Gen. 
Sherill. 

They were cordially received; the situation was explained in 
detail and his opinion requested. 

He gave it as his judgment that we had better continue our 
organization and get it into as good a condition of discipline as we 
could ; he could make no promise as to arms for us — he had had great 
difficutly getting arms for the Guard. We had a short, pleasant, 
interview and left feeling that we had at least accomplished some- 
thing. 

A little later the company began its drills, out of doors when 
the weather permitted, and in the Armory, which through the 
courtesy of Capt. H. R. Kidney, had been assigned to us for one 
night in the week, when we could not drill outside. At first we 
drilled on Monday night, but this proving inconvenient for many, 
the drill night was changed to Wednesday and so remained to the 
end. 

Lieutenant Aubin of the company assisted by others, notably 
Sergeants Arthur W. Titus and "Jimmy" Dolan (Dolan of the 
69th) of the N. Y. Guard, drilled the company until February, 
1918; we then felt that the time had arrived when the company 
could intelligently elect its officers. On February 20, 1918 a meet- 
ing was called in the mess hall of the Armory and an election held, 
as per regulations, which resulted in the choice of Lieut. Aubin 
for Captain, James P. Dolan for First Lieutenant, and Albert 0. 
Raguse, Second Lieutenant. 



60 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

Sergeant "Jimmy" Dolan had become very popular with the 
men during the time that he assisted in drilling the company, so 
the men persuaded him to join our ''outfit" and triumphantly elect- 
ed him second in command; Sergeant Titus, also very much liked, 
had gone to Watertown in command of detail of the N. Y. Guard 
to do guard duty for the State. 

Temporary sergeants and corporals v^ere appointed; v^e con- 
tinued to drill regularly and we began to feel that we were making 
progress in squad, platoon, and company movements. 

The Captain organized a non-com school open to anyone who 
cared to avail himself thereof and drill manuals were eagerly 
studied by those who were ambitious of promotion. 

We much desired uniforms and equipment; we realized that 
without the former we presented anything but a soldierly appear- 
ance, to say nothing of the inconvenience of a loose fitting civilian 
suit. 

The Chairman of the County Committee with other members 
finally enlisted the interest of the Supervisors who came to our 
rescue by appropriating funds to cover the expense of uniforms, 
i. e.. Coat, Breeches, Hats, and Leggings, which however, owing to 
great delay on the part of the contractors, did not arrive until July, 
1918. 

In April, Regulation Descriptive and Property List blanks 
were received together with a second set of Oath of Allegiance and 
Enrollment blanks, the former having printed thereon in detail the 
scope of the physical examination ; all blanks were filled out as of 
April 10, 1918, physical examinations made by the company sur- 
geon. Dr. John Gerin; after this our enlistment was official, and 
weekly reports were, according to orders, sent in to the Adjutant 
General. 

Our maximum strength was limited to 90. We were now 
definitely launched as the 175th Company, Cayuga County, Home 
Defense Reserves, though still without uniforms or arms. 

As the spring advanced and weather conditions permitted 
drills were held on the Seminary Campus and the Y. M. C. A. Field. 

On June 12, 1918, written examinations for non-commissioned 
officers were held by Captain Aubin as examining officer on ques- 
tions prepared by the Military Bureau ; the papers were marked 
by Sergt. C. Earle Race, Military Instructor for the Auburn Dis- 
trict. 

June 19, 1918 candidates who had passed the written examin- 
ation were subjected to a practical examination in field work by 
Lieut. Alan D. Stout, Co. M, 3d Infantry, N. Y. Guard, and on 
June 26th the successful candidates for non-commissioned officers 
were announced as follows: 



Report of Committee of Defense and Security 61 

J. Reynolds Wait — First Sergeant. 
Sergeants — Richard C. S. Drummond 
H. G. Latimer, Jr. 
A. H. Baumline 
Howard J. Lindsley 
Paris T. VanLiew 
Samuel E. Hillger — Supply Sergeant. 

Corporals — C. Arthur Thomas 
Harris B. Stewart 
Robt. J. Hoyle 
Fred P. Ernsberger 
Nathan Mendelsohn 
Robt. H. Nichols 
Chas. H. Edwards 
C. I. Buckingham 
Leroy F. Howland 
Wm. D. "\y heeler 

Meanwhile bids had been procured and the contracts for uniforms 
let; there was a long delay on the part of the contractors; finally, 
in July the first installment arrived to be issued July 25th. 

• Although proper measurements had been taken by experi- 
enced men, all according to instructions, when the uniforms were 
tried on it was apparent that but little attention had been paid to 
measurements. Some suits were marked with the names of those 
for whem they were intended (or not intended), some with the 
names of persons on whom they were wished, and others, not at all, 
with the hope that they might accidentally fit somebody. 

On issue, there speedily ensued a general swapping with anx- 
ious inspection by the officers as to fit and appearance; One could 
wear the breeches, but the coat was too small, another had difficul- 
ties just the opposite; then perhaps neither could be fitted to a 
pair of leggings, and the efforts to secure reasonable fits were 
limited only by the combinations that could be effected with the 
different articles. Cloth must have been scarce as indicated by 
the meagerness of the coats that were ''rationed out" to the larger 
men. One general complaint was directed against the breeches — 
a tightness in the knees — so that a number of the men could 
hardly be wedged into them, and a few, not at all. 

After a great deal of correspondence and assiduous worrying 
of phlegmatic contractors by a dilligent and resourceful commit- 
tee, the balance of the uniforms was finally obtained, and the 
alteration of such misfits as it was possible to transform into 
wearable articles was effected; the expense incurred in making 
the alterations was charged to the contractors and the bill ad- 
justed accordingly. 



62 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

The company was finally uniformed and each article was 
charged to the man on his descriptive list. 

The uniforms furnished consisted of coat, breeches, belt, 
leggings, and hat ; the men purchased their own woolen shirts and 
tan shoes. Later, about the first of November, the State furnish- 
ed 90 Canadian Ross rifles with bayonets in scabbards ; belts were 
lacking so that we were never able to use the bayonet except as 
the men were instructed in fixing it on the rifle. 

The company had by this time become fairly proficient in 
the various evolutions; the discipline was all that could be ex- 
pected; the platoon and squad commanders began to know their 
work. Each platoon leader was required to be able to get into 
quick communication with his corporals and each corporal had 
a list of the men of his squad and their addresses so that he could 
reach them in a very short time and it was so ordered that the 
company could be speedily assembled at need. 

Mindful of the special duties likely to devolve upon the H. D. 
R. the Captain instructed the company in guard duty and skirm- 
ish work. During the summer several practice marches were 
made, one, the most extended, to Bucks Point on Owasco Lake, 
and two to the Wait farm on Genesee Road; in each case guards 
were posted; instruction was given in Guard Mount; on one occa- 
sion the night was spent at the Wait farm for special instruction 
in guard duty, a constant guard maintained all night with proper 
reliefs, and with service conditions in every way simulated. 

The rifles arrived only a short time before drills were sus- 
pended, but as much progress was made in the manual of arms as 
could reasonably be expedited. The non-coms were instructed in 
the mechanism and care of the arms; and inasmuch as they ar- 
rived in a condition indicative of but indifferent attention, the 
non-coms had practical experience in cleaning to their full sat- 
isfaction. This was, in a way, an advantage, as they learned 
quite thoroughly how to care for a rifle and what it meant to keep 
the piece in good order, enabling them in their turn to instruct 
the men in their charge. 

No ammunition for the rifles had been furnished, neither 
was it readily procurable in quantity at the time; however, a dil- 
igent search in the markets was productive of 60 rounds of am- 
munition, sporting cartridges with jacketed soft point bullets; 
these were unloaded and the shells re-loaded, according to a 
formula "doped out" by certain rifle "cranks," with a minature 
charge for indoor practice. This load proved very accurate and 
furnished some practice for the non-coms, giving them experience 
in actual shooting and a demonstration of the manner in which 
the piece functioned. The command appeared in public, armed, 
but once, — in the parade held on Armistice Day. 



Report of Committee of Defense and Security 63 

It will be remembered that this occurred just after the rifles 
were received and before the men had had any instruction in the 
manual. On this occasion the pieces were issued in the Armory 
where the men had been assembled ; the officers gave such instruc- 
tion as they could in the short time preceding the parade; exer- 
cising great care in commands so as to reduce the change of pieces 
to an absolute minimum the officers brought the company through 
without any serious breaks, and very few knew that the men had 
never had arms in their hands before. 

November 11, 1918, brought the Armistice; every one seemed to 
feel that it was but the fore-runner of peace ; drills were conducted 
for a few weeks longer; the officers meanwhile concluding that 
the company had sufficiently advanced to perform such duty as it 
might be called upon to do and that therefore it was unnecessary 
to take the time for further drills; so the last drill was held on 
December 4th, 1918, further drills ordered suspended for the time 
being. Uniforms were ordered turned in and the men credited 
therewith on the descriptive papers. Rifles had not been allowed 
out of the Armory; they were inspected and put away in racks, 
there to remain until they were returned to the State. 

On January 21, 1919, the Adjutant General issued orders for 
mustering out the command, providing for honorable discharges 
for all men entitled to receive them. In accordance with this, on 
February 1, 1919, honorable discharges were granted. 

The rifles, the property of the State, for the safe return of 
which several members of the command were under bonds, were 
carefully packed and returned to the State ; the uniforms were held 
at the disposal of the Supervisors who later voted to donate them 
to the men who had worn them, and they were disposed of in that 
manner. 

The field music, consisting of 4 bugles, 4 snare drums, with 
drum sticks and belts, and a pair of cymbals, provided for the com- 
pany by the Mayor's Defense Committee, were returned to the cus- 
tody of that committee. 

An eminently proper disposal of these articles, in the opinion 
of this committee, would be to place them in the custody of the Mili- 
tary Instructor for the Auburn District for such use in his com- 
mand as he may see fit and this committee begs so to recommend. 

The Muster Roll of the 175th Company, Cayuga County H. D. 
R. is hereto attached. 

On this roll appear 3 Officers 

18 Non-commissioned officers 
96 Enlisted men 



A total of 117 



64 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

Discharge to enter the Federal Service, the N. Y. Guard, and for 
other reasons brought the number actually mustered out to 

3 Officers 
18 Non-commissioned officers 
67 Enlisted men 

A total of 88 

It will be noted that there were discharged 

To enter the Federal Service 15 

To enter the Canadian Army 1 

To enter the N. Y. Guard 2 

Removal from the County 2 

Non-performance of duty 9 

A total of 29 

A close scrutiny of the discharges will indicate that there were 
men who enlisted in the company for the purpose of receiving as 
much training as possible before entering the Federal Service; 
subsequent letters to the officers acknowledged that the training 
here received helped them in obtaining promotion more rapidly 
than would otherwise have been the case. 

The Muster Roll represents by no means the total number of 
men who at one time and another signed up; the first lists would 
show that many Class A men left only to enter the larger and more 
important service — some into the N. Y. Guard Company, more into 
the Army that went across the Sea, and it is a source of satisfaction 
to the company to believe that it served as stimulus to Patriotism. 

Of public appearances in parade as a company we made only 
two — the first, when we were still without uniforms, on the occa- 
sion of the great Liberty Loan Parade of April 20, 1918 ; the second, 
uniformed and armed, in the Armistice Day Parade, November 11, 
1918. As individuals the company was represented in many of the 
public functions. 

Sergeant Howard J. Lindsley officiated as Marshal of all 
parades held during the war, calling for assistants from the com- 
pany as needed ; the number of such required and furnished for the 
parades held during War Savings Stamp Week in June, 1918, was 
especially notable. 

In October, 1918, occurred a great children's parade ; this was 
perhaps the most interesting and enjoyable event of all. The chil- 
dren of each school were in charge of their teachers, each division 
in charge of a member of the company with assistants to patrol the 
line; the work was thoroughly and successfully done, justifying the 



Report of Committee of Defense and Security 65 

confidence reposed in the company by the Superintendent of 
Schools. The company was represented in all Liberty Loan Cam- 
paigns, at times as private individuals, at others, as members of 
the company. 

During the spring of 1918, in order to further the interests of 
men drafted or about to be drafted into the Federal Service, the 
Captain detailed non-commissioned officers to instruct such as 
v^ished to avail themselves of the opportunity securing through the 
courtesy of the Y. M. C. A. its Field for drill purposes. This v^ork 
was continued up to June, 1918, when by order of the Adjutant 
General it was turned over to the N. Y. Guard. 

A number of men reported for these drills, and had they re- 
alized the benefit that might result from the advantages so freely 
offered them and what it would have meant to them to go to camp 
with even a rudimentary knowledge of the duties of a soldier, there 
would have been many more to attend and those who did come 
would have been more regular in their attendance. As witness 
subsequent letters from the camps expressing regret that the 
writers had not made greater use of the opportunities here af- 
forded them. A number were promoted shortly after arrival in 
camp as it was, and, so far as we know, they all made good. 

Those who took part in this work regarded it as perhaps the 
most important that the company had been privileged to do. Cap- 
tain Aubin gave a great deal of time, not only in supervising the 
work of his non-coms, but especially in attending to the publicity 
and in an endeavor to interest those for whom it was intended. 
His efforts should have received better support from those who 
could best have furthered this most worthy enterprise. 

Other possible duties were anticipated. The influenza epi- 
demic proved fatal to not a few Auburn boys in the camps. On re- 
quest, to render the last honors, the Commanding Officer of Co. 
M., N. Y. Guard detailed a firing squad with bugler to sound 
"Taps." At one time, the constant calls upon Co. M indicated a 
possibility of its not being able at all times to comply. In order 
to meet such a contingency the Captain instructed non-coms and 
squads in volley firing and the attendant ceremonies of a Military 
funeral. We had no rifles ; however, the Auburn, N. Y. Rifle Club 
placed at our disposal a sufficient number of Springfields to equip 
a firing squad, and these together with blank ammunition therefor 
were kept where they could be reached on very short notice. On 
several occasions military bearers were requested which were fur- 
nished by our company. 

In connection with the military organization a civil organiza- 
tion was formed with Captain Aubin as president and Corp. C. 
Arthur Thomas as Secretary. It was called the Home Defense 
Rifle Club and was affiliated with the National Rifle Association, 



66 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

hoping that with the help of the latter rifles might be secured. This 
proved disappointing as the N. R. A. was at that time not in a posi- 
tion to do anything along this line. 

Our dues were very light, intended only to cover incidental 
expenses and to be used in such functions as would vary the monot- 
ony of weekly drill and to promote closer relations and good fellow- 
ship among the members. 

The financial report hereto attached involves but a small sum 
and is self-explanatory. 

We feel that this report would not be complete without a ref- 
erence to the personnel of the command and a tribute to the fine 
morale and the feeling of good fellowship that prevailed. 

As was to be expected, there were a number of foreign birth 
and foreign parentage; representatives of diverse religious beliefs 
— Jew and Gentile, Catholic and Protestant; there were Ministers 
and Laymen ; they came from all walks of life — the student rubbed 
elbows with the lettered — the professional man and the man who 
toiled with his hands — All one in a common cause with a common 
purpose — Truly it was a Democratic body. 

Some were young but in the main they were men who had 
reached, or soon would reach, middle age ; some were very near the 
age limit and several passed it during their enlistment. 

They were well preserved, these men: It was remarkable, so 
the company surgeon said, that such a large body brought together 
should, for men of their ages, uniformly be in such good physical 
condition. 

There were a number of large, powerful men ; several had been 
football players in their college days, one, at least, a famous player 
of his time. 

Those with foreign names were, as we recall, without excep- 
tion, strongly built men. 

We had an average number of medium sized men and some 
small ones, but all pretty well built and a pretty sturdy set. 

With a period of outdoor training, regulated to meet the needs 
of men of their years and habits of life they would have been fit to 
perform all but the most arduous duties required of a soldier. 

The men remained loyal to the company through discourage- 
ments and uncertainties; they were loyal to their officers; they 
were ready to render loyal service to the community. 

In the ranks were men high in the various activities that 
tended to promote success in the war, giving their best without 
stint to the cause, serving in the company only because they saw 
therein further outlet for their patriotism. 



Report of Committee of Defense and Security 67 

The war lasted only a short time, shorter than even the most 
optimistic observer could forecast; except for the sorrow over the 
dead and wounded we were spared any real suffering. But had the 
war been long drawn out, as at one time it was feared it would be, 
we could not have escaped bitter suffering in mind and in body. 
This in turn would have provoked turbulence and disorder calling 
for firm repessive measures; conditions would surely have arisen 
calling for the service of the company. 

Had such been the case we have no doubt but that this fine body 
of men under the leadership of officers to whom it was loyal and 
whom it trusted, would have performed every duty required of it 
cheerfully and well, and would have in every way justified the con- 
fidence of those who knew it best and who took great pride in being 
part of it. 

This narrative, for such it has grown to be, rather than a re- 
port, is intended to be a brief contemporaneous history of the 175th 
Company, Cayuga County Home Defense Reserves, chronicling the 
salient features of its inception, organization, and dissolution. It 
attempts to set forth the uncertainties attending and the difficulties 
encountered and overcome. 

If it is so fortunate as sufficiently to interest the reader so as 
to get therefrom a good mental picture of the events therein de- 
scribed, the committee will be gratified ; should it succeed in enlist- 
ing a sympathetic understanding of the object and aim of the com- 
pany and gain approbation for it, then, indeed, the purpose of this 
narrative is more than fulfilled. 

In conclusion, this committee wishes to commend the Captain 
and officers of the company for their painstaking and successful 
efforts on its behalf — let the consciousness of duty well and faith- 
fully done be its own reward. 

And finally, we wish to thank the Chairman of the Mayor's 
Defense Committee, a faithful and esteemed member of the com- 
pany, for his ever ready sympathy, his kindly and efficient help, his 
valuable advice so generously and courteously given, and we wish 
him to know that we appreciate that but for his example always 
before us and the help that he gave, we would have been unable 
successfully to carry our work to completion. 



68 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

Financial Report of Committee on Defense and Security. 

Receipts 
Appropriated by Mayor's Defense Committee.... $100.00 
Bugles and Drums, Mayor's Defense Committee 73.37 , 

Sale of Bugles, Mayor's Defense Committee... 20.00 

— $193.37 

Disbursements 

Dues National Rifle Association $10.00 

Express on Uniforms 27.44 

Bugles and Drums 73.37 

Printing, &c 7.80 . 

Expenses representative to Albany 7.98 

126.59 



Unexpended Balance (not withdrawn from the 

Treasury of the Mayor's Defense Committee) $66.78 

The amount of $100.00 was set to the credit of this Committee 
by the Mayor's Defense Committee ; then the latter voted to provide 
a sum for bugles and drums not to exceed $75.00 ; later the bugles 
were sold for $20.00. The drums are in the hands of the Mayor's 
Defense Committee to be disposed of as it deems fit. 

After the organization of the company was perfected the fin- 
ancing was handled entirely by the company from dues collected 
from the membership. 

Roster of 175th Company, Cayuga County : 

Captain 
Sidney J. Aubin, April 10, 1918. 
1st Lieutenant 
James P. Dolan, April 10, 1918. 
2nd Lieutenant 
Albert 0. Raguse, April 10, 1918. 

1st Sergeant 
J. Reynolds Wait, April 10, 1918. 
Supply Sergeant 
Samuel E. Hillger, April 10, 1918. 

Sergeants 
Richard C. S. Drummond, April 10, 1918. 
H. G. Latimer, Jr., April 10, 1918. 
A. H. Baumline, April 10, 1918. 
Howard J. Lindsley, April 10, 1918. 
Paris T. VanLiew, April 10, 1918. 

Corporals 
C. A. Thomas, April 10, 1918. 

Harris B. Stewart, April 10, 1918. Discharged to enter Fed- 
eral Service, Oct. 9, 1918. 



Report of Committee of Defense and Security 69 

Robert J. Hoyle, April 17, 1918. Discharged to enter Federal 

Service, July 18, 1918. 
Fred P. Ernsberger, April 10, 1918. 
Nathan Mendelsohn, April 10, 1918. 
Robert H. Nichols, April 10, 1918. 
Charles H. Edwards, April 10, 1918. 
Cyrus R. Buckingham, April 10, 1918. 
LeRoy F. Rowland, April 10, 1918. 
William D. Wheeler, April 10, 1918. 

Musician 
George F. Adams, April 10, 1918. 

Privates 

Alano, Antonio, July 3, 1918. 

Anton, C. J., April 10, 1918. Discharged June 8, 1918. Non- 
performance of duty. 

Balbirnie, James B., June 1, 1918. 

Bannon, James E., April 10, 1918. 

Barthelman, Val, April 10, 1918. 

Benham, Harry D., July 3, 1918. 

Blass, James B., April 10, 1918. 

Bowker, Grenville F., April 10, 1918. 

Brister, Carl R., April 10, 1918. 

Buck, Howard L., April 10, 1918. Discharged September 5, 

1918. Removed from County. 

Beard, Bernard 0., June 22, 1918. 

Bryson, William, Jr., April 10, 1918. Discharged June 29, 

1918 to enter Federal Service. 

Benham, Earl S., April 24, 1918. Discharged July 3, 1918, to 

enter Federal Service. 

Bergan, Thomas B., June 29, 1918. Discharged July 3, 1918, 

to enter Federal Service. 

Bowen, Kirk, June 22, 1918. 

Bower, F. Homer, June 22, 1918. Discharged July 3, 1918, 

to enter Federal Service. 

Bristol, J. Howard, June 1, 1918. Discharged June 5, 1918, 

to enter Federal Service. 

Bicknell, LeRoy C, May 1, 1918. Discharged June 5, 1918, to 

enter Federal Service. 

Carr, Frank, April 10, 1918. Discharged May 1, 1918. Non- 
performance of duty. 

Carroll, James C, April 10, 1918. 

Cole, Leslie, April 10, 1918. Discharged May 29, 1918, to 

enter New York Guard. 

Conner, Henry, April 10, 1918. 

Copodanno, Michael, April 10, 1918. 

Crayton, John D., April 10, 1918. Discharged June 8, 1918. 

Non-performance of duty. 

Crosman, William B., April 10, 1918. 

Currier, Claude J., April 24, 1918. 



70 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

Claudius, Henry R., June 1, 1918. 
Crocker, A. W., May 22, 1918. 

Davidson, Abraham, April 10, 1918. Discharged May 29, 

1918. Non-performance of duty. 

Doyle, John T., April 10, 1918. 

Drake, James T., April 10, 1918. 

Drummond, N. L., April 10, 1918. 

Dorson, Louis, April 24, 1918. 

Fulton, Robert H., May 1, 1918. 

Fitzpatrick, Bryan T., April 10, 1918. 

Foley, Patrick T., April 10, 1918. 

Fryer, Fred, April 10, 1918. Discharged May 29, 1918. Non- 
performance of duty. 

Frees, Valentine, April 24, 1918. 

Gerin, John, April 10, 1918. 

Gibbs, Thomas A., April 10, 1918. 

Gilboy, William M., May 1, 1918. 

Ginannettino, Nicolo, May 29, 1918. 

Harvey, H. G., April 10, 1918. 

Hudson, George W., April 10, 1918. 

Hole, R. H. Bertram, May 24, 1918. Discharged September 5, 

1918, to enter Canadian Army. 

lampaglio, Alexander, June 5, 1918. 
Jordan, Carl F., April 10, 1918. 

Jordan, Morgan, April 10, 1918. Discharged May 22, 1918. 

Non-performance of duty. 

Jackson, Henry, June 29, 1918. 

Kendall, William A., April 10, 1918. Discharged May 29, 1918. 

Non-performance of duty. 
Kenny, Ray M., April 10, 1918. 
Knox, Seymour H., April 10, 1918. 
Leonard, Lewis F., April 10, 1918. 
Lockier, Edv^in V., May 22, 1918. 
Merritt, Charles W., April 10, 1918. 
Metcalf, Harold G., April 10, 1918. 
Merriman, Arthur J., April 17, 1918. 
Muggleton, Harry E., May 1, 1918. 
Near, Wilson J., May 22, 1918. 
Oropallo, Antonio, May 22, 1918. 
Peck, Frank H., April 10, 1918. Discharged May 29, 1918. 

Non-performance of duty. 
Peck, F. Stedman, April 10, 1918. 
Prentice, F. Austin, April 10, 1918. 
Pov^^ers, Charles R., April 24th, 1918. Discharged May 29, 

1918, to enter Federal Service. 
Plunkett, Thomas E., May 1, 1918. Discharged July 3, 1918, 

to enter Federal Service. 
Patterson, William B., May 22, 1918. 
Reed, Harry L., April 10, 1918. 



Report of Committee of Defense and Security 71 

Schmidt, Francis, May 29, 1918. Discharged July 3, 1918, 

moved from County. 
Schafer, Clarence, May 1, 1918. Discharged September 5, 

1918, to enter Federal Service. 
Shaver, Ira C, April 10, 1918. Discharged May 29, 1918. Non- 
performance of duty. 
Shetland, John M., April 10, 1918. 
Stebbins, J. H., April 10, 1918. 
Stev^art, George B., April 10, 1918. 
Skinner, Charles W., May 29, 1918. 
Storke, Charles W., April 10, 1918. 
Schaertl, George M., April 24, 1918. 
Strong, Alton M., May 1, 1918. 
Steele, R. Douglas, May 1, 1918. 
Speno, Samuel, May 22, 1918. Discharged July 18, 1918, to 

enter Federal Service. 
Taber, John, April 10, 1918. 
Tallman J. Bradford, April 10, 1918. 
Titus, John S., April 10, 1918. 
Toutant, Joseph A., April 10, 1918. 
Wadsv^orth, David, 3rd. Discharged October 9, 1918, to enter 

New York Guard. 
Williams, Percival H., April 10, 1918. Discharged May 8, 

1918, to enter Federal Service. 
Wickes, Benjamin C, April 24, 1918. Discharged May 29, 

1918. Entered Government service. 
Collins, Arthur, September 5, 1918. 
Copobancio, Michael, July 3, 1918. 
Carrington, Lynn 0., July 3, 1918. 
Drennan, James J., July 3, 1918. 
Moore, Frank W., July 3, 1918. Discharged November 13, 

1918, to enter Federal Service. 
Ogden, Elmer J., September 5, 1918. 
Skinner, Frederick, September 5, 1918. 
Willis, Howard, October 9, 1918. 
Wright, Charles A., April 10, 1918. 
Wills, Frederick B., July 18, 1918. 



Respectfully submitted, 

Committee of Defense and Security, 

By Samuel E. Hillger, Chairman. 



72 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

APPENDIX III 

Report of Committee on Publicity 

From the beginning of our work an effort was made to arrange 
for publication in the daily newspapers of such matter as seemed 
suitable for the purpose of informing the people of the city as to 
facts and circumstances pertaining to the war and our local atti- 
tude and activities with respect to the war, which all of us regard- 
ed as important to have our people clearly understand. In a gen- 
eral way it is believed that the efforts put forth in this regard were 
effective. Certainly we received the heartiest co-operation at the 
hands of the staffs of the two local newspapers. 

In this same connection an effort was made at all times to 
guide public sentiment wisely, as we regarded it, in respect to local 
war activities and the conduct of them, and in respect also to the atti- 
tude of support which it seemed desirable to have this community 
adopt and exhibit in matters relating to the national war program. 
It is believed considerable value is to be attached to the matter 
which in most excellent fashion the local newspapers published for 
these purposes at the request and under the inspiration of our Sub- 
committee. 

Much publicity matter from government bureaus was received 
for publication. Discrimination in the use of this was sought to 
be exercised. Some of it was distributed to the newspapers with 
request to publish and some of it was not used. It was found that 
most of the newspapers were receiving this same matter, and that 
the judgment of the newspaper editors could be relied upon invari- 
ably in the matter of selecting the useful and the good from the 
poor in this mass of literature thus distributed. 

Mention might be made of the fact that we sought generally 
to avoid in many cases the connecting of the Committee with the 
publicity matter which we procured to be published. We felt that 
our purpose might be defeated if an aspect of officiousness should 
be given to this particular part of the Committee's work. In other 
words we were not always seeking ^'credit" for the Committee in 
respect to a great deal of this publicity. It is possible that the Com- 
mittee may have lost something by way of prestige because of this 
policy, but we adopted it and followed it nevertheless. If it were 
now regarded as profitable, it would be easy as well as interesting 
to go through files of the local newspapers for the past two years 
and select and assemble the articles published in those newspapers 
that actually owe thir origin to our Committee. No attempt has 
ever been made to do this. The circumstance is mentioned merely 
to recall and to record that a great deal of work done by the Sub- 
committee on Publicity does not upon the face of things seem to have 
proceeded from them at all. 



Report of Committee on Food Conservation 73 

Really much of the credit for what has been done and accomp- 
lished by our Committee is due, not to its Chairman, but to those 
faithful and hard-working members of the Sub-committee who 
served upon the staffs of the local newspapers. They were ever 
ready to adopt suggestions, they were tireless in their activity and 
they exhibited at all times great skill and tact in executing the tasks 
which they undertook and agreed to perform. 

Another part of our work was in connection with public meet- 
ings. It fell to us to arrange for many public meetings, not only in 
the city but also in the county. We were also called to provide speak- 
ers for patriotic meetings of one sort or another in many places. No 
complete record has been kept of these meetings, but from available 
memoranda it is evident that we arranged for, or sent speakers to, 
or ourselves addressed, not less than one hundred meetings in the 
city and county. 

Another part of our work was with the school children of the 
city. We believed that it was important to have the children ade- 
quately instructed in patriotic ideas and exercised in patriotic prac- 
tices, for their own sakes and for the reflex influence upon their 
homes. In this matter we were ably and enthusiastically seconded 
by the school authorities and teachers. Indeed, when we entered 
this field of service we found the way already prepared and every 
thing in readiness for an energetic and effective performance of 
it. From the first we found but little for us to do. We take this 
occasion to pay a deserved tribute to the patriotism of our teaching 
force in the city and to their valued contribution to the prevailing 
and dominating patriotic spirit. It is impossible adequately to 
estimate the great service they have rendered our Cause in this 
critical period. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Richard C. S. Drummond, 
Chairman, Sub-committee on Publicity. 



APPENDIX IV 

Report of Committee on Food Production 
and Conservation 

July 1st, 1917 to January 1st, 1919. 

The Mayor's Defense Committee believing that food should be 
conserved and properly used, requested the writer to form a com- 
mittee and to present a plan whereby these results might be accom- 
plished. The State college of Agriculture representing the Federal 
and State Governments offered to pay the salary of a trained wo- 
man to have charge of the details of a plan to inform the women 



74 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

of the city and county as to the proper use of available foods in an 
endeavor to conserve and furnish proper food nutriment to the 
members of the home. The expense of this agent v^as borne to the 
extent of fifty dollars per month from the budget of the Mayor's 
and County Defense committees. The Farm Bureau Association 
also co-operated in furnishing office and office facilities and in lend- 
ing its efforts in perfecting organization plans so that the v^ork 
might be brought to the attention especially of the v^omen. 

War emergency work in Food Conservation v^as begun in Cay- 
uga County and the City of Auburn on July 1, 1917, under an ex- 
ecutive Committee of v^omen, and the chairman of this sub-commit- 
tee. The county, outside of the city was divided into 20 community 
centers, subsequently increased to twenty-seven active centers, with 
a local committee of women in charge. 

During the first eight months of the work a great amount of 
time was spent on demonstrations. In this way the work was 
brought before large groups of people, and an active campaign for 
canning of vegetables was conducted. Thirty demonstrations were 
given in the city and sixty-four in the county. By records which 
were obtained at each meeting it was found that the canning of 
vegetables alone was increased 296 per cent. These demonstrations 
covered not only canning of meats, vegetables, and fruits, but the 
value of milk as a food ; meat savers ; storage and cooking of vege- 
tables ; wheat-saving breads, fireless cookers ; and pressure canners. 

As the work progressed the exhibits seemed to accomplish 
more than almost any other method of approach to the people. 
Twenty-five of these were held. The first exhibit was on milk, 
showing the value of milk as a food. This was held in a window of 
a large hardware store in Auburn and attracted a great deal of 
interest and attention. Charts were used and various merchants 
co-operated by furnishing the amounts of food necessary to equal 
one quart of milk in lime, protein, and calories. 

Small exhibits were taken to many of the meetings to illustrate 
wheatless breads, sugarless and meatless dishes. An attractive ex- 
hibit of canned vegetables and small fruits was arranged in one of 
the store windows in Auburn in connection with an exhibit by the 
City Gardener. Three other large food exhibits were held in con- 
nection with county picnics, the women in the local communities 
furnishing the sugarless and wheatless products as well as the 
recipes. Canned vegetables, meats, and dried products also formed 
a part of these exhibits. In connection with the vegetab^.e and meat 
canning exhibition, the pressure canner, which had been purchased 
by funds donated by the County Home Defense, was shown and or- 
ders taken for its use. The County Fair exhibit was similar to those 
given at county picnics. Over five thousand bulletins were given 
out at the fair and county picnics. An unusual feature in connec- 
tion with the sugarless exhibit was four dolls dressed in French, 



Report of Committee on Food Conservation 75 

English, Italian, and American costume. In front of these dolls 
was a printed card telling the amount of sugar used per month by- 
each country. 

In co-operation with the merchants of Moravia it was possible 
to arrange a model farm home kitchen at the Fair. Various labor 
saving devices were exhibited, all of these practical from the stand- 
point of the average income. One important point shown was the 
proper height of the work table and sink. These same merchants 
also donated furniture to equip a comfortable rest room, where we 
arranged to serve iced tea on three afternoons. 

An exhibit of canned and dried products was arranged at the 
State Fair in connection with the Farm Bureau. Miss Bowen helped 
in the wheat-saving bread booth demonstrating and exhibiting 
wheat-saving breads. A junior vegetable canning club furnished 
material for the canned fruit and vegetable exhibit, and the Italian 
club which had been formed in Auburn also exhibited their products. 

By the assistance of the members of the Mayor's Defense Com- 
mittee money was obtained with which to start a war kitchen. This 
was operated by a competent worker and used for canning and 
drying products from July 1st to October 1st, 1918. Over twelve 
thousand cans of fruit and vegetables were canned during that time 
and over 560 women came to the kitchen and used it free of charge 
to preserve their own products. 

During the first summer of the work four pressure canners 
were purchased through the Home Demonstration Agent's office. 
These are being used not only for canning but for cooking of meats. 
The advantages of the home-made fireless cooker were shown and 
eight of these were made as a result of one demonstration. Women 
were taught how to arrange their kitchens for convenience and the 
saving of labor, also dietetics and special diets for invalids and the 
sick. A War Bread Contest was held in one of the schools, the 
pupils of the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades competing. Prizes were of 
thrift stamps and went to boys in each case. Renovation and re- 
modeling of clothing, suitable house dresses and millinery have 
been subjects for instruction. 

Assistance has been given in filling out programs for Grange 
meetings, missionary and Ladies' Aid Society meetings as well as 
Cornell Study Clubs. In several instances there has been requests 
made and granted for help with pressure cookers and special sug- 
gestions in ways of preserving fruits and vegetables, as well as 
methods of stretching small amounts of meat and vegetables to 
make palatable dishes. 

At all demonstrations and meetings a special effort has been 
made to give the value of good food well prepared and well digested. 
At this time an explanation has been given of the digestible pro- 



76 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

cesses of different types of food emphasizing their function in the 
diet toward good health. The need of Home Nursing was very 
much emphasized during the epidemic of Influenza in 1918 and 
later. The co-operation of the City Hospital was secured and dem- 
onstrations and talks have been given in various places by a nurse. 

The following organizations have co-operated. The County 
Home Defense Committee in paying local expenses of the Agent 
during the year. The Farm Bureau Association in furnishing of- 
fice room, part of stenographic help, telephone and transportation 
wherever possible. In this last item there has been unusual co-op- 
eration at all times. The Parent-Teacher's Association of Auburn 
helped to establish centers in the schools and to start the Auburn 
War Kitchen. The Grange in helping to launch the work in the 
county and Pomona in passing a resolution to have the work con- 
tinued . The County W. C. T. U. voted to spend ten minutes of each 
meeting on conservation. The Homemaker's Club of Auburn gave 
a share of their program to Food Conservation. The county papers^ 
have given publicity to all meetings and reports. The churches have 
allowed meetings to be held and the ministers have announced dates 
for meetings, beside urging conservation. Two men's clubs re- 
quested conservation dinners and the Agent has furnished the 
menu and helped direct the preparation of the food. 

At the time of the epidemic of Spanish Influenza it was im- 
possible to do any work in the county because of quarantine. The 
agent offered herself to the Red Cross to help wherever needed. 
Special work was done in the diet kitchen at the Neighborhood 
House where an emergency hospital had been established. Food 
was prepared for the foreign families in the surrounding districts, 
as well as for the patients. Home visits were also a part of the 
work. 

During September, 1918, a meeting of the Advisory Council 
which is made up of County Community committees was called to 
consider a permanent organization of the women in the county, 
corresponding to the Farm Bureau for the men. The organization 
and projects were carefully explained and the representatives from 
nineteen communities were all anxious for the work to be done. 
These plans could not be carried out effectively at the beginning 
because of the epidemic of Influenza, but a small membership was 
secured previous to January 1, 1919 and the women are actively 
engaged in doing community work. A great amount of apprecia- 
tion and interest has been expressed by them of the value of the 
work which had been done in the eighteen months in their com- 
munities. 

In conclusion it may be said that had it not been for the efforts 
of the City and County Defense Committee through their very loyal 
and active chairman. Dr. Stewart, this work would never have been 
accomplished. This report would not be complete without an ex- 



c: 



Report of Committee on Home Gardens 77 

pression of appreciation for the efficient and pains-taking work of 
Mary E. Bowen who diriected through personal contact with the 
people this particular piece of work in Cayuga County. As the 
women of the County have come forward, worked for a county ap- 
propriation and put this work on a 'permanent basis, it shows that 
our work has not been in vain and as a result of our war activities 
we have left an organization which is working for better homes 
and more wholesome communities throughout Cayuga County. 

. Respectfully submitted, 

E. C. Weatherby, 

Chairman, Sub-committee on Farm Production 
and Conservation. 



APPENDIX V 

Report of the Committee on Home Gardens 

covering work done during the years 

1917 and 1918 

In April, 1917, the following were appointed by the Chairman 
of the Mayor's Defense Committee to act as a sub-committee on 
Home Gardens : C. A. Clark, S. L. Depew, Jay S. Hunter, John Van 
Sickle, J. R. Wait, E. C. Weatherby, Mrs. David Wadsworth, Jr. 

The Committee organized and elected Mr. E. C. Weatherby, 
Chairman. John Mcintosh was elected Secretary. Mr. A. R. Tin- 
nerholm of Cornell University was chosen to direct the Home Gar- 
den Work in Auburn for the year at a salary of $400.00 for the 
season. An office was opened in one of the rooms of the Auburn 
Savings Bank Building, which was donated by the bank for the 
purpose. 

The co-operation of the local newspapers was solicited and the 
people of Auburn and vicinity were made acquainted with the 
necessity of putting every foot of idle land to work. The news- 
papers responded in a most patriotic fashion, and gave a great 
deal of publicity to the work, and printed, without charge, articles 
which were prepared by the city gardener and others, telling about 
the great importance of the raising of vegetables, giving specific 
information relating to the planting of all kinds of vegetables, giv- 
ing lists of land available, etc. To stimulate additional interest a 
large public meeting was held in the Court House; speakers were 
present from Cornell University and from the Home Defense Com- 
mittee, and considerable enthusiasm was aroused. 



78 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

A survey of the vacant lots in the city, v^hich v^ould be desir- 
able for gardens, v^as made. Ov^ners of the more desirable lots 
v^ere requested to donate them to the people v^ho v^ould like to v^ork 
gardens and v^ho had no land of their ov^n. These lots, together 
v^ith many other pieces which owners volunteered to give, were 
listed in the city gardener's office, and any one who desired a piece 
of ground on which to make a garden secured the same by applying 
at the office of the city gardener. Some 88 acres of land inside the 
city limits which had never before been used for garden purposes 
were put under cultivation. The work of the Secretary, Mr. Mc- 
intosh, was invaluable in securing and in assigning lots to those 
applying for them. In addition several large tracts just outside 
of the city were secured for factories and several of them proved 
to be remarkably successful. Special mention should be made of 
the fine garden of some 12 acres which Robinson-Bynon Shoe Co. 
employees had. It was estimated that over 100 acres were put into 
gardens by individuals independently of the committee, but as a 
result of its activity. 

For the convenience of the people working gardens a list was 
kept of the teamsters available to do plowing, fitting, etc., also the 
names and addresses of those teamsters who had manure available 
for fertilizer, also the kinds of seed, spraying materials, commercial 
fertilizers, etc., kept in stock by local dealers. 

Mr. Tinnerholm worked untiringly, often times from 5 o'clock 
in the morning until 9 at night. He gave advice to any one and 
every one on every kind of subject pertaining to gardening. He 
considered that he was doing a patriotic service as well as earning 
a salary, and the Committee cannot emphasize too highly the splen- 
did spirit with which he did this work. 

Garden Clubs were organized in various parts of the city, the 
school districts being used in which conveniently to divide the city. 
The co-operation of the Parent-Teacher's Association was sought 
and great aid was rendered by them. Mr. Tinnerholm spoke on 
Garden work in schools, churches and clubs, and presented his sub- 
ject in a very clear manner. From time to time posters were placed 
in the stores and public buildings, and everything possible was done 
to stir up the community to plant gardens. Some 1,500 pamphlets 
on War Gardens, and as many more Cornell bulletins on garden 
subjects were distributed. Prizes were offered in each of the dis- 
tricts, and late in the season a careful survey of the gardens in the 
city was made by Mr. Tinnerholm. During the survey prizes were 
awarded to the successful competitors. The survey showed that 
some 1,200 gardens were being worked within the city. An exhibit 
of garden products was displayed in the Cayuga County National 
Bank and attracted much attention. Mr. Tinnerholm enlisted in 
the service of the United States Government, and the Government 
called him before his work could be completed. But by his exten- 
sive and varied activities, his exceptionally good organization of 
the work, and his unusual high fitness for the task, he accomplished 
large results. 



Report of Committee on Home Gardens 79 

In the spring of 1918 the personnel of the Committee was 
changed to some extent, and those composing the Committee were 
C. A. Clark, John VanSickle, E. C. Weatherby, H. D. Hervey, E. J. 
Flynn with J. R. Wait as Chairman. The Committee had the same 
headquarters in room 201 of the Auburn Savings Bank Building 
as in the previous year. This was again generously donated by 
the Auburn Savings Bank. Ellis Meaker acted as Secretary for 
two months followed by Weir Stewart, both leaving their positions 
when called to the service. The Committee employed Mr. Chan- 
ning H. Morrill to supervise the Garden Work in Auburn for the 
year. Mr. Morrill had had considerable experience in truck garden 
work, and was a student at Cornell University. The plan of the 
work was about the same as that of the previous year. More gar- 
dens were planted than the previous year, and a greater number of 
vacant lots were put under cultivation. Mr. Morrill's survey of 
the gardens at the close of the summer's work showed that there 
were 2,000 gardens within the city. 

Special efforts were made during the year to interest school 
children in Garden Work. One very large successful school club 
was held at Lincoln School. 

Mr. Morrill spoke at a number of meetings which were called 
for the purpose of interesting people in Garden Work, and in giv- 
ing information about the raising of vegetables. Newspapers and 
other agencies were freely used for publicity purposes. A Ford 
automobile was purchased to assist Mr. Morrill in making his calls. 

The financial statement follows: 

During the summer of 1917, the expenses were: Salary of 
supervisor, $400; depreciation of his motorcycle, $40; upkeep of 
motorcycle, $22.24; telephone, light, etc., $31.49; signs, printing, 
stationery, etc., $66.08; incidentals, $34.41; a total of $594.22. 
These expenses were met by an appropriation of like amount from 
the Mayor's Committee. 

During the summer of 1918, the expenses were: Ford car, 
$300; upkeep of car, $197.53; telephone and light, $29.45; salary 
of supervisor, $419.10; postage, stationery, signs, etc., $53.55; and 
incidentals, $38.90, a total of $1,038.53. To cover these expenses, 
there was received from the State Department of Agriculture, 
$156.25, proceeds from the sale of Ford car, $200.00, and appropria- 
tions from Mayor's Committee, $1,025. Of the Appropriations 
from the Mayor's Committee, the sum of $342.72 was not needed 
and was not drawn from the Mayor's Committee treasury. The 
cost of this work to the Mayor's Committee for the two years was 
$1,276.50, an average of $638.25. The result was probably a pro- 
duction of several thousand dollars' worth of garden products, 
which otherwise would not have been grown. 

J. Reynolds Wait, 

Chairman. 



80 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 



APPENDIX VI 

Report of the War Kitchen Committee 

There were two lines of work conducted by the committee, one 
the conservation of food-over-plus in the markets, especially the 
Public Market, and stores which otherwise would have gone to 
waste, and the other was the aiding of housewives in their conser- 
vation of fruits and vegetables by instructing them in the work 
or by doing it for them at a reasonable charge. Both required the 
supervision of skilled experts, some of whom were loaned to us by 
the State and most of whom were volunteers, and all of them 
wrought with enthusiasm and devotion. Miss Mary C. Bowen, the 
County Food Conservation Agent and her assistant. Miss Ruth 
Chandler, were allowed by the State to give us much of their valu- 
able time for directing this work and to put at our disposal, free 
of charge, pressure canners and other equipment. 

The First Presbyterian Church gave us for this work the free 
use of their large and completely equipped kitchen in their Chapter 
House. This was conveniently located to the market, and the 
stores, and easily accessible to those who wished to use it. For 
this invaluable assistance the committee is most grateful to the 
officers and members of that church. 

There were 189 women who used the kitchen and did the en- 
tire work themselves, which up to August 20th was allowed without 
charge and for which after that date a small fee was charged to 
cover the cost of fuel and other minor expenses. These women 
canned 975 quarts and 1,096 pints of vegetables, 53 quarts and 51 
pints of fruit. We canned for 67 women who did not have the con- 
veniences at home or the time for the work, 194 quarts, 265 pints 
of vegetables, 43 quarts, 67 pints of fruits, and 310 glasses of jelly. 
A reasonable charge was made for this work. Instruction was 
given in modern drying processes, and in so doing, we dried, and 
thus conserved, 49 pounds of fruits and vegetables. 

The cost of this War Kitchen was as follows : 

For raw material, $189.42 ; labor, $141.31 ; heat and light, 
$33.42; telephone, $17.23; supplies, $34.87; sundries, $18.06; a 
total expense of $434.31. 

The receipts from the sale of our products were $381.69, thus 
leaving as the total net cost of all the educational work and the 
actual conserving of food, $52.62. The Mayor's Committee made 
an appropriation of $400 for this work. Of the amount from this 
appropriation which was drawn, $77.49 was returned to the treas- 
ury of that committee, and $269.89 was not drawn from the treas- 
ury. 



Report of Military Memorial Committee 81 

Not only was much food conserved, but many women learned 
new and improved methods of preserving fruits and vegetables. 

Edwin F. Metcalf, 

Chairman. 



APPENDIX VII 

Report of Military Memorial Committee of Cayuga Co. 

To THE Defense Committee of Cayuga County, and the Mayor's 
Defense Committee of the City of Auburn : 

Gentlemen : 

The Committee appointed by you to take under consideration 
the matter of a Memorial to the men who have fallen in the service 
of their country in the recent World War would respectfully make 
the following report : 

The Committee consisted of the following gentlemen : George 
B. Stewart, Auburn ; W. H. J. Parker, Moravia ; Robert Zabriskie, 
Aurora ; L. H. King, Port Byron ; L. Ford Hager, Victory ; Charles 
J. Hewitt, Locke; Henry T. Millard, Fair Haven; L. Guernsey Al- 
len, Summerhill, appointed by the County Committee. George 
B. Stewart, William H. Seward, Jr., John VanSickle, Thomas H. 
O'Neill, Miles Irish, Julius Krauft, Samuel E. Hillger, Harold G. 
Metcalf, Auburn, appointed by the Mayor's Committee. The Com- 
mittee organized by electing George B. Stewart, Chairman, L. H. 
King, Vice Chairman, Samuel E. Hillger, Secretary, and William 
H. Seward, Jr., Treasurer. There have been four meetings, the 
first being held March 17, 1919, and the last August 2, 1919. 

The following matters have occupied the attention of the com- 
mittee, and the committee offers to your respective committees the 
following recommendations : 

1. The Location of the Memorial. The committee unanimous- 
ly recommends that the Memorial should be erected on some suit- 
able site in the County Seat. 

2. The Name of the Committee. 

In the judgment of the Committee the matter assigned to it 
was the consideration of Or memorial not of war, but of men who 
served their country in war, and of the men who had served in any 
branch of the service. Since the term "military" is generic and 
covers all branches of the service it was agreed that the name of 
this committee be the "Military Memorial Committee of Cayuga 
County." 



82 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

3. The Service Men who are to be Memorialized. 

The Committee received no instructions as to whether the 
memorial was to be confined to the men of the World War, or was 
to include also, the men who have fallen in other wars. The Com- 
mittee gave full consideration to the various views expressed by 
our fellow-citizens and arrived at the conclusion that the men of 
the Civil War, for whom no county memorial had ever been erected 
should have a co-ordinate place with the men of the World War in 
the plans of the Committee. It was thought there should be two 
separate memorials, or, if one memorial, then it should be so con- 
structed as to be obviously two memorials, but that the two memor- 
ials could best be obtained through one effort and be erected at the 
same time. 

When it was learned that the Cayuga County Civil War Mem- 
orial Association was perfecting plans for a campaign for a Civil 
War Monument, an invitation was given it to unite with us in a 
common effort. This invitation was courteously declined, where- 
upon the committee unanimously adopted the following resolution. 

RESOLVED: That in view of the decision of the Cayuga 
County Civil War Memorial Association not to accept the invita- 
tion of this Committee to unite in a joint effort to erect two memor- 
ials, one a Civil War Memorial and the other a World War Mem- 
orial, and its desire to prosecute its plans for a separate campaign, 
this committee cordially accepts this decision and heartily com- 
mends the project of a Civil War Memorial to the citizens of the 
county ; 

Further, that as this Committee has from the first believed 
that there should be a suitable memorial to the Civil War, we wish 
the Association the most abundant success in its undertaking and 
will gladly render it such assistance as we may be able. 

4. The Character of the Memorial. 

Many suggestions have been made in the press and personally 
as to the form of the memorial, to all of which the committee has 
given most careful consideration. 

It is of the opinion that the Memorial should be monumental 
and artistic in character, rather than utilitarian, but that a definite 
and final decision should be left for future action. 

5. The Site. 

Many sites within the County Seat have been discussed at 
length, but no conclusion has been reached. It is manifest that the 
character of the memorial and the site are inter-related and that 
the decision regarding one will in large degree determine the selec- 
tion of the other. 



Report of Military Memorial Committee 83 

It is unanimously recommended that the character of the mem- 
orial and the site be left for further consideration. 

6. Financing the Undertaking. 

This matter has also been carefully considered by the Com- 
mittee. The amount to be obtained will depend upon the character 
of the memorial, and the sources from which it is to be sought will 
in a degree depend upon the amount determined upon. This will 
have to be left for future decision. 

The Committee understands that there are small balances in 
the treasuries of the County Defense Committee and of the Mayor's 
Defense Committee and that there is also a balance in the Auburn 
War Chest. It appears to the Committee, that these organizations, 
which have so generously and wisely contributed toward the suc- 
cessful prosecution of the recent war and have ministered to the 
comfort and necessities of the men in the service and their depend- 
ents, might, with those of their funds, not otherwise appropriated, 
express their gratitude and that of their constituencies for the 
heroism and sacrifice of our brave men who have fallen. They 
have done well by the living, and now it would seem only fitting 
that they should do something to perpetuate the memory of the 
dead. The committee believes that no appropriation made by any 
one of these three organizations would meet with more unqualified 
approval from our fellow-citizens than a suitable appropriation 
to manifest the honor in which we hold the men who gave them- 
selves in this great Cause, and to hand down to the generations yet 
to come, the fame of their courage, devotion and sacrifice. 

It is unanimously recommended that the Mayor's Defense 
Committee and the County Defense Committee be requested to ap- 
propriate their unexpended balances as a nucleus for the Memorial 
Fund. 

John VanSickle, Thomas H. O'Neill, Samuel E. Hillger, and 
W. J. H. Parker were appointed a committee to bring the matter 
to the attention of the Auburn War Chest and request from it a 
substantial appropriation from its funds as a nucleus to the Mem- 
orial Fund. 

7. The Further Prosecution of the Work. 

The Committee has given attention to the further prosecution 
of this undertaking and is of the unanimous opinion that it should 
be prosecuted to a successful completion by a committee appointed 
by your two committees for this purpose and that said committee 
should be authorized to become incorporated and be given full 
power. 

Messrs. VanSickle, Parker and Stewart were appointed a sub- 
committee to prepare a plan for incorporation and also a resolution 
to be submitted to your two committees with a view to the incorpor- 



84 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

ation of the permanent committee and the prosecution of this work 
to a completion by it. 

This Sub-committee deems it wise to leave the determination 
of the form of incorporation to the permanent committee, the ap- 
pointment and incorporation of which is recommended in this re- 
port. 

This Sub-committee recommends the adoption by the Cayuga 
County Defense Committee and by the Mayor's Defense Committee 
of Auburn of the following Resolution: 

Whereas, The Committee of eight members each from the Coun- 
ty Defense Committee of Cayuga County and the Mayor's Defense 
Committee of the City of Auburn (one person being a member of 
both committees, thus making the total number fifteen) heretofore 
appointed for the general purpose of considering and reporting on 
the question of a suitable memorial for the men of Cayuga County 
who served in its wars, has made a report of its work and progress, 
and 

Whereas, It appears from its report that the Cayuga County 
Civil War Memorial Association has decided to proceed independ- 
ently of this Committee to procure funds and erect a Memorial to 
the men of the Civil War; and 

Whereas, The report and work of such committee is approved ; 
Resolved, That said Committee be continued; and 
That the members appointed by each Defense Committee be 
authorized and requested to co-operate with the Memorial Com- 
mittee of the other Defense Committee or such other committee as 
the other Defense Committee shall appoint, and with such others 
as may be associated with them, in the formation of a World War 
Memorial Association of Cayuga County by incorporation or other- 
wise under whatever name may be chosen for it, for the general 
purpose of raising funds for and erecting and maintaining at the 
County Seat a suitable memorial, or memorials to the representa- 
tives of Cayuga County who served in the World War. 

Further Resolved, That the balance of funds now remaining 
in the hands of the Defense Committees, be turned over by their 
respective treasurers to said World War Memorial Association, or 
such other association or committee as shall be appointed by them 
for the general purpose of erecting a memorial, as soon as it shall 
be properly organized. 

8. It is our painful duty to record the removal by death on 
the ninth day of October, of the Hon. Thomas H. O'Neill, a faith- 
ful and deeply interested member of this Committee. We recom- 
mended that William K. Payne be appointed by the Mayor's De- 
fense Committee to take his place on the Committee. 

George B. Stewart, 

Chairman. 



Report of Military Memorial Committee 85 



Action of the Defense Committee of Cayuga County on the 

Above Report of the Military Memorial Committee 

of Cayuga County, October 20, 1919 

All of the recommendations, so far as they pertained to this 
Defense Committee, were approved and adopted ; all of the present 
members of the Memorial Committee were continued; namely, 
George B. Stewart of Auburn, William J. H. Parker of Moravia, 
Robert L. Zabriskie of Aurora, L. H. King of Port Byron, L. Ford 
Hager of Victory, Charles J. Hewitt of Locke, Henry F. Millard of 
Fair Haven, J. Guernsey Allen of Summerhill, as the permanent 
committee; the permanent committee was authorized to join with 
a similar committee by the Mayor's Defense Committee of Auburn 
and with such others as may be associated with them in the forma- 
tion of a World War Memorial Association of Cayuga County by 
incorporation or otherwise under whatever name may be chosen 
for it as directed in the Report ; and the Treasurer was directed to 
pay the unexpended balance in the Treasury, after all obligations of 
the Defense Committee have been met, to the Treasurer of the 
Memorial Association as recommended in the Report. 

George B. Stewart, 
Chairman, Defense Committee of Cayuga County. 



Action of the Council of the Mayor's Defense Committee 
on the Above Report, October 21, 1919 

All of the recommendations of the Military Memorial Commit- 
tee's Report were adopted ; William K. Payne was appointed to fill 
the vacancy in the committee caused by the death of Hon. Thomas 
H. O'Neill; the present members of the Military Memorial Com- 
mittee from the Mayor's Defense Committee, namely, George B. 
Stewart, William H. Seward, Jr., John VanSickle, William K. 
Payne, Miles Irish, Julius Krauft, Samuel E. Hillger, Harold G. 
Metcalf, were continued as the permanent Committee; the perma- 
nent Committee was authorized to join with the similar committee 
appointed by the County Defense Committee in forming a World 
War Memorial Association of Cayuga County; and the Treasurer 
was authorized to disburse the balance in the Treasury of the 
Mayor's Defense Committee, when it is determined, as recommend- 
ed in the Report. 

George B. Stewart, 
Chairman, Council of Mayor's Defense Committee. 



86 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

APPENDIX VIII 

Report of Welcome Home Committee 

To THE Mayor's Defense Committee of Auburn, N. Y., the 
Cayuga County Defense Committee; 

Gentlemen : 

Your Committee of Arrangements for Returning Auburn 
Soldiers and Sailors, appointed on November 25th, 1918, respect- 
fully submits this report of its activities : 

This Sub-committee, as originally constituted consisted of 
Richard C. S. Drummond, Sidney J. Aubin, William O. Dapping, 
John F. McGrath, P. T. Quigley, Howard R. Merritt, John J. Bres- 
lin, Howard J. Lindsley, John M. Shetland, Chairman. At the time 
of its appointment, its duties seemed limited to the preparation of 
the usual patriotic demonstrations, such as flag-raisings, a parade, 
and the additional unfurling of an honor flag for the men who had 
gone out of Auburn and "Old Cayuga'' to fight ; for those who had 
been wounded in the service ; and, especially, for those whose lives 
had been given in sacrifice for humanity's sake. 

The first meeting of your committee was called to discuss pos- 
sible plans, and to exchange ideas, for a fitting reception for the 
returning service men of the County. It met in the old Chamber 
of Commerce Rooms, in the Masonic Building, on the evening of 
December 10th, 1918. It was at this initial meeting that the pos- 
sibilities and great responsibility of your committee became appar- 
ent. Discussion was replete with suggestions for the honor to be 
accorded the returning service men; and while no definite plan of 
action could be decided upon at that early date, the following con- 
clusions were reached: your committee accepted, upon invitation, 
the display rooms of Frank W. Richardson, at 733 Fifth Avenue, 
New York City, as headquarters of your committee in that city ; Sid- 
ney J. Aubin was appointed secretary of your committee ; and for 
the purpose of keeping in constant touch with each other, your com- 
mittee decided to meet twice weekly, and convened thereafter ac- 
cordingly. 

The second meeting, held December 13th, 1918, resulted in the 
leasing of the rooms over 108 Genesee Street, at a rental of $25.00 
per month, which space was used as club rooms for the returning 
service men, and later given the name of the Khaki and Blue Ron 
Dee Voo. Anticipating the scope of your committee's activities, 
Chairman Shetland apportioned special duties to the various mem- 
bers, as follows: 

Headquarters: John F. McGrath, Howard J. Lindlsey. 



Report of Welcome Home Committee 87 

Furnishings for Headquarters: John F. McGrath, William O. 
Dapping, Howard J. Lindsley, Howard R. Merritt, Richard 
C. S. Drummond. 

Publicity : Howard R. Merritt, William 0. Dapping, Richard C. S. 
Drummond. 

Headquarters, Special Features and Entertainments : John J. 
Breslin, Howard J. Lindsley, Sidney J. Aubin. 

Roster and Registration : P. T. Quigley, Richard C. S. Drummond, 
William 0. Dapping, Howard R. Merritt. 

Headquarters and Arrangements in New York City : William 
0. Dapping, J. F. McGrath, Sidney J. Aubin, Howard J. 
Lindsley, Frank W. Richardson. 

Street Decorations : Richard C. S. Drummond, John J. Breslin. 

Parades and Grandstands : Howard J. Lindsley, Sidney J. Aubin, 
John J. Breslin. 

Military Ball: Entire Committee. 

Arrangements for Feeding Soldiers En Route Syracuse to 
Auburn: John F. McGrath, Howard J. Lindsley, Howard R. 
Merritt. 

Believing that the financing of your committee's work should 
be arranged on the basis adopted for other sub-committees of the 
Mayor's Defense Committee, your committee's chairman made up 
an initial budget, which was presented by him to the Appropriations 
Committee who authorized initial expenditures to the extent of 
$4,000; and approved all plans submitted by your committee. 
Among these was the plan to make the return to Auburn of Com- 
pany M and the Supply Company the day of a parade and general 
celebration. This was done because some date had to be selected, 
and as these units were the first large units to leave the city and 
would certainly be the largest units returning at one time, it was 
thought fitting thus to decide. That occasion would be used to 
welcome all service men, no matter what unit they belonged to, 
who were then back from service. Your committee desires to 
touch upon the difficulty it met with in making this clear to the 
public that the reception, parade and celebration were in honor of 
every Cayuga County service man, and not for the boys who went 
out from Auburn alone. It was found necessary repeatedly to ad- 
vise the relatives, friends and service men of the County of this; 
but for all of your commitee's personal efforts it was necessary to 
go over the entire matter time after time. It is well to state, how- 
ever, that the situation was thoroughly cleared before the day of 
the parade, to the satisfaction of the entire County. Posters were 
prepared by your committee, and distributed throughout the ham- 
lets and villages of the County, calling the attention of the people 
to the parade and celebration ; and issuing calls for all service men 



88 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

to be on hand for the parade. This poster was also printed in the 
newspapers. In addition to this, a letter was drafted, mimeo- 
graphed, and sent to every service man in the County, who was 
home at that time, urging his presence in Auburn for the parade. 
A flying squadron of automobiles scoured the County; and repre- 
sentatives of your committee personally sought the same result. 

On the evening of December 29th, 1918, your committee for- 
mally opened the Khaki and Blue Ron Dee Voo to the service men. 
They were officially turned over to the "boys" by Chairman George 
B. Stewart, of the Home Defense Committees, with supplemental 
remarks by Chairman John M. Shetland, of your committee. The 
latter, at that time, explained to the service men that cards had 
been procured from the United States Employment Bureau, which 
would be at the rooms at all times. Thereafter, any service man 
seeking a position, or wishing to better his position, filled out one 
of these cards at the club-rooms, and it was turned over to the Em- 
ployment Bureau, where it received attention. Many situations 
were secured for the service men in this way. 

Registration cards had also been printed; and every service 
man entering the rooms, was asked to register. These cards gave 
the name and home address of the man, (if he was still in the serv- 
ice, his army or navy address, also), the company, regiment, or 
ship to which he was or had been attached, and the branch of the 
service in which he was a member. These cards are now filed with 
Postmaster P. T. Quigley. They were used for the purpose of 
correcting the Service Register, which, when completed, will be 
filed with the County records. 

The service men present, on the night of the opening of the 
Khaki and Blue Ron Dee Voo, were requested to inform Frank W. 
Richardson, your committee's New York City representative, of 
the location, in New York hospitals, of any Cayuga County men. 
Mr. Richardson received many names, and provision was made for 
the giving of additional comforts to such wounded men. 

Amos W. Cooke, a local photographer, donated a large photo- 
graph of Col. Edgar S. Jennings to your committee. It was ac- 
cepted with thanks, and hung on the walls of the Ron Dee Voo. 

On January 7th, 1919, your committee, feeling the necessity 
of enlarging itself to meet the various problems that demanded its 
attention, appointed to act with it as members: Maj. E. F. Bald- 
win and Charles W. Storke, both of whom were assigned to the 
sub-committee on Parades and Grandstands; Henry R. Claudius, 
who was assigned to the sub-committee on Street Decorations. 
J. Guernsey Allen, George W. Benham and Sanford G. Lyon, of the 
Cayuga County Defense Committee, were appointed to act as rep- 
resentatives of the County Defense Committee. On January 10th, 
1919, Harry R. Kidney was added to your committee as chairman 
of the sub-committee on Police, with William C. Bell and Edgar S. 



Report of Welcome Home Committee 89 

Mosher as other members; and on the 13th of the same month 
A. D. Smith was appointed and assigned to the sub-committee on 
Decorations. On the 22nd Carl C. Tallman and S. E. Hillger were 
appointed. 

To cover expenses, incurred and anticipated, your committee 
records with pleasure the cooperation afforded by the Cayuga 
County Defense Committee in recommending to the Board of Su- 
pervisors an appropriation of $3,000, which appropriation the 
Board generously made. 

Your committee named as the Complete Reception Committee 
to welcome the returning heroes : the County and Mayor's Defense 
Committees, Board of Supervisors, Board of Aldermen, and other 
County and City officials, the mothers and fathers of the men in 
the service, Red Cross units throughout the City and County, and 
some others in addition to the regular working committee. 

It had been the original intention of your committee to hold a 
great civic parade on the day of the arrival of the Auburn units of 
the 108th Regiment; but after careful thought it was decided that 
these plans should be discontinued. It was deemed desirable that 
every effort be concentrated on the reception of all men at home on 
the date of arrival of the Auburn units, and that the whole event 
be strictly military. 

On Thursday, January 23rd, 1919, a large service flag was 
unfurled on Genesee Street in front of the Ron Dee Voo, in honor 
of Cayuga's service men. On this flag were stars for the 3,563 
men who entered the service and stars for the 116 men who fell. 

Your committee named the General Reception Committee of 
men and women of the County. While many names were selected 
as representative of the entire community in furthering the plans, 
many were added later. The General Reception Committee was 
largely honorary, yet many of its members served with the various 
sub-committees of your committee in performing the work of prep- 
aration, to make the entire series of entertainments and events a 
success. 

To keep the public fully informed with regard to the activi- 
ties of your committee, a bulletin was issued March 5th, 1919. 

This bulletin contained a list of the committee, an invitation 
to all men who had been in the service to make full use of the Ron 
Dee Voo, an announcement of the erection of the Victory Arch and 
Court of Honor, and of the proposed parade on the day of the ar- 
rival of the men of the 108th. It contained the following informa- 
tion about the parade : 

"It is anticipated that every person who served in any branch of 
the Service, will participate in this parade, wearing the uniform 
of the service to which he was attached. 



90 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

^'Arrangements for Parade: Major Elliott N. Baldwin will 
have charge of the men other than those of the command under 
Colonel Jennings and Captain Hodder. The latter will arrive in 
Auburn as a separate unit ; it being the first and largest unit which 
left Auburn, and in a like manner, the first distinct unit to return; 
hence, the selection of the date of its arrival as the date for the 
Home Coming Celebration for the whole County. 

"These men will report to Maj. Baldwin, at the Armory for 
organization, the march to the square bounded by the New York 
Central Station. Chapel, Garden and State Streets. This space 
will be reserved for the Home Coming Troops, including those 
under Maj. Baldwin. 

"The Police Arrangements will be under the direction of Capt. 
Harry R. Kidney, commanding Company M, State Guard, acting 
as military police. Chief William C. Bell in charge of the City 
Police, and Judge Edgar S. Mosher commanding the Fraternal 
Regiment. These three named persons comprise the Sub-Commit- 
tee on Police Arrangements for the entire Home Coming Celebra- 
tion. 

'Tine of March: Immediately upon detraining the parade 
will form on Garden Street as follows : Colonel Edgar S. Jennings, 
Company M, 108th U. S. Infantry under the command of Captain 
William L. Hodder; Supply Company under the command of Cap- 
tain Frederick S. Johnston. The parade will pass up Garden 
Street to Franklin to Seminary Avenue to Genesee Street, through 
the Victory Arch to Jefferson, countermarching to State Street and 
to Armory." 

On the evening of March 5th, 1919, the vanguard of your com- 
mittee's delegation to greet Company M, left Auburn for New 
York. It was composed of Chairman John M. Shetland, Howard R. 
Merritt and William 0. Dapping; and these members departed 
fully equipped with the Cayuga County and Auburn spirit properly 
to receive the service men who were expected to disembark from 
the "Mauretania," bearing the 27th Division, and of which the 
108th Infantry was a part, and Company M a unit of the latter. 

Aware that many relatives and friends intended going to New 
York to greet the soldiers, your committee published in the local 
city and county papers detailed information of the most specific 
character touching the location of the official headquarters of Cay- 
uga County in New York City, the date of the great parade in that 
cit>' for welcoming the 27th Division, the place for viewing it, the 
way to reach the grandstands and the County headquarters, avail- 
able boarding places, method of procedure for seeing "the boys," 
division headquarters, schedule of trains, transportation and Pull- 
man fares. 

It was while in New York City that the three-named mem- 
bers of your committee faced obstacles that appeared absolute- 



Report of Welcome Home Committee 91 

ly discouraging. The thousand upon thousand of persons massed 
to give welcome to the troops aboard the Mauretania, were a 
veritable blockade to the plans laid out by your committee. New 
York City and Federal officials were being deluged with requests 
for privileges to sail down the harbor to greet the incoming trans- 
port; and an impenetrable barrier of ''I came before you" throng 
temporarily checked your committee's representatives gaining ac- 
cess to anybody who could grant their desires. However, after a few 
most trying hours of tact and much more push, your committee's 
representatives succeeded in obtaining space on the Police Patrol 
Boat, (New York's Mayor's Welcoming Committee's craft), not 
only for themselves, but for an Auburn delegation a swell. The 
importance of all this can best be appreciated by the following edi- 
torial, which appeared in a local paper on March 8, 1919 : 



"Cayuga County, the Pacemaker. 

"The repeated statement by Cayuga Countj^ boys in the 108th 
to the reception committee sent do^^Ti by the Cayuga Count>^ Com- 
mittee : 'It is lucky you met us down the harbor' has shed some light 
on the welcoming plans which reflects great credit upon the home 
folks. 

"In explaining this reference the boys declare that ever since 
they were slated for the return home they have been proudly tell- 
ing the men of other units that Auburn is the only live to^\TL in the 
state, and have pointed to the news in the home newspapers about 
the projected welcome festivities. 

"It did not take the men of other cities long to send clippings 
of Auburn papers to their o\vn representative home communities 
with the result that Auburn's example spread like wildfire, and the 
boys from every city but Auburn who had been making wry faces 
began to perk up as returns came in that their home folks would 
not allow Auburn to show them the dust. 

"And that is really why Syracuse and Rochester and Elmira 
were represented down the harbor in the mosquito fleet that 
greeted the Mauretania on her triumphal entry. Today the boys 
announce that even Buflfalo has woke up, and they are planning a 
fine reception for the Buffalo men when they reach home. 

"Auburn's delegation led all the visiting delegations, for they 
occupied the flagship of the welcoming fleet, the Police Boat Patrol 
with wireless and trained wig^vag communications, and from the 
moment they left the dock until the great reception was over, the 
Auburnians were in constant communication with Colonel Jennings 
and the boys of the 108th, the latter communicating their replies. 

"Had the city and county not been represented do^^Ti at the 
sea gate as our heroes returned in a great unit, the boys of other 
units would have been able to say: 'AMiere's Auburn?' 



92 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

"That is why the Company M and Supply Company boys hung 
over the Mauretania's decks wild with joy as they found Auburn 
represented by a very creditable delegation." 

After the 108th had been quartered at Camp Merritt, N. J., 
and your committee's representatives had laid out plans for ac- 
commodating Auburnians and Cayugans, who were to remain in 
New York City to witness the Victory Parade there, Chairman 
John M. Shetland and Howard R. Merritt, on March 12, 1919, left 
for Auburn, leaving William 0. Dapping to see that every plan 
was put into operation. It should be mentioned, in passing, that 
your committee found many difficulties in procuring grandstand 
tickets for those Cayugans who remained in New York City; but 
it was finally accomplished. Your committee were derelict did it 
not mention with emphasis the conditions it met with in New York 
City. Cayuga County would have been sadly neglected in the mat- 
ter of grandstand seats had not your committee had representa- 
tives there. The New York City Welcoming Committee originally 
gave but two tickets to each up-state mayor ; later on, this number 
was increased to four, which, of course, could by no means meet 
the demands of up-staters. Had it not been for the generosity of 
the boys of Company M and the Supply Company, who contributed 
their tickets to your committee's representatives for the use of the 
more than 200 Cayugans in New York City, the latter would have 
been unable to view the parade. 

Grateful acknowledgement is expressed for the assistance af- 
forded your committee in New York City, by Frank W. Richardson, 
and Miss Helen Farquhar, the latter of the Y. W. C. A. Hostess 
House. Every comfort possible was given by them to the Cay- 
ugans. Mr. Richardson set up cots in his store; and Miss Far- 
quhar spared no pains in furnishing accommodations. 

Your committee, in compliance with a request from the Di- 
visional officers, provided transportation from Auburn to New 
York and return, for men from the County belonging to the 27th 
Division, already discharged from the service on account of wounds 
or disability resulting from overseas service, who desired to go to 
New York to witness the Parade. 

Upon invitation, proposals for the construction of the Victory 
Arch, were submitted as follows : William Moseley $2,498.00, John 
Alnutt $2,585.00, Luke Williams $2,725.00, and your committee 
subsequently awarded the contract to William Moseley. The paint- 
ing was done by Frederick Nash, who had previously submitted 
schemes for material and application. The Arch was erected across 
Genesee Street between the postoffice and the County buildings, 
with an approach from and beyond Court, Green and William 
Streets. The special sub-committee of your committee, of which 
Henry Claudius, John J. Breslin, S. E. Hillger and Carl C. Tall- 
man, the last two named having been the designers, prepared the 



Report of Welcome Home Committee 93 

final specifications of it and the twelve pylons for the approaches 
and appropriate decorations to be in harmony with them. The 
color scheme was white, upon which were imposed decorative ef- 
fects in Victory blue, and the street decorations were in the same 
arrangement of colors; the only other colors having been the na- 
tional flags of all the nations fighting on the Entente side during 
the war. The names of one hundred and sixteen Cayuga County 
service men who paid with their lives for their devotion to the 
cause of humanity during the Great War, were inscribed upon the 
tablets inserted in the Victory Arch. The memorial tablets were 
simple, but exhibited a dignified beauty. Over them were the words : 
"In Memoriam," and under that: ''County of Cayuga," and then 
followed the names of the heroes, in gold letters of a size that could 
be read easily from some distance. The lighting arrangements of the 
structure, done under the direction of your committeeman A. D. 
Smith, included flood lights and a number of powerful searchlights 
employed to flood the Arch at night. Your committee was put to 
no expense for lights, except for the bare cost of installation; the 
Empire Gas & Electric Company generously donating the current, 
of about 25,000 candle-power. A massive bronzed eagle graced the 
top of the Arch. City Engineer Thomas B. Bergan made the sur- 
vey for the Arch ; and Superintendent of Streets James J. Geherin 
officially approved the plans and site selected. Due to unusual 
weather conditions, your committee found the Arch to be in need 
of repairs and paint; and on July 15th, 1919, funds were procured 
to make the necessary repairs and painting, which was done at a 
cost of $210.00. 

Your committee constructed a large reviewing stand, about 
sixty feet in length, and which stood in front of the County Build- 
ing on Genesee Street. 

Your committee acknowledges with thanks the donation of a 
check in the amount of $100 from Mr. Floyd M. Wills, of Buffalo, 
N. Y., which amount was contributed towards the expenses of your 
committee. This donation was made without restriction regard- 
ing its expenditure. 

Invitations were sent, with explanations of the object and pur- 
pose of the Auburn parade, to every service man who was home 
before April 1st, 1919, either discharged or on furlough; and par- 
ticular efforts were made to explain to them the earnest hope of 
the community that they turn out for the parade. Therefore, the 
following notice was prepared and published in all of the local 
papers February 15th, 1919 : 

"To Every Soldier and Sailor of Auburn and Cayuga County : 

"You undoubtedly are familiar with the plans for the Grand 
Military Review soon to be held in this city, as considerable pub- 
licity has already been given to the matter in the newspapers ; but 



94 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

it is the desire of the committee in charge, to lay the subject before 
every man who has been in the service, and to ask for his fullest 
cooperation and assistance in order that this event may be one that 
will be remembered for years to come. 

"As it dos not seem wise nor practical to wait until every man 
is home before allowing the people of Auburn and Cayuga County 
a chance to see in uniform the men who answered the call of their 
country in this great struggle, since such a plan would necessarily 
delay any celebration for months at least, it has been decided to 
hold a parade of all the men from the various branches of the serv- 
ice, who are now at home, or will be in the near future. Later on, — 
probably Peace Day — there is to be a combined military and civic 
celebration that is to outdo anything ever held in the city. But as 
every member of the committee — in fact, every citizen — feels that 
some recognition should be made of the fact that so many of our 
men are returning to their homes, this parade review has been 
planned, and everyone who is home, either discharged or on fur- 
lough, will be needed to make the parade a success. 

**It seems most fitting that this parade should be held on the 
day of the return of the members of the 108th Regiment of Infan- 
try, as two companies of that regiment — M and Supply — are 
known as Auburn companies. It is expected that from that regi- 
ment and the rest of the 27th Division, approximately 100 or 125 
men will return to Auburn in a body, headed by Colonel Edgar S. 
Jennings, the highest ranking officer from the town or county. 

"The homecoming of such a large body of men at one time, 
will, of course, call out a large number of people from the city and 
the surrounding county and country, to greet them; and it there- 
fore seems that no more fitting time could be found for a parade of 
every man who has been in the service. The great Victory Arch, 
now under construction, will be completed, and all homecoming 
decorations will be in place by that time. 

"It is planned to assemble the men, already home, in uniform, 
at some central place, probably the State Armory, and form a sep- 
arate detachment of the men of each branch of the service, such as 
infantry, artillery, marines, navy, aviators, etc. These detach- 
ments will be marched to the railroad station, and upon the arrival 
of the men of the 108th, that organization will join the parade in a 
short line of march through the business section of the city, with 
a review at the Victory Arch at the Court House. „ 

"You are therefore asked to keep your uniform as carefully as 
possible, for you will need it that day, and also for the military ball 
a few days later. 

"Talk this over with your friends; for every man who has 
been in the service, no matter what his rank or work may have 
been, wants to be in that parade and show himself to the people 



Report of Welcome Home Committee 95 

of Auburn and Cayuga in the uniform he so proudly wore. So 
talk it up, and make sure that everybody knows about it. 

"This is just to let you know about the general plans, and you 
will receive more definite notice later on. Watch the Bulletin Board 
in the Khaki and Blue Ron Dee Voo, and the daily papers for more 
information." 

Your committee emphasized that the welcome was for every 
soldier, sailor and marine in the county; and further: that every 
man, woman and child in the county, who stayed at home, should 
consider themselves on the Welcome Home Committee. It was the 
City and the County that welcomed the boys back, and not the act- 
ive members of your committee. Your committee were merely per- 
sons selected to look after the details, the rest was in the hands 
of all. 

April 1st, 1919, your committee feels, can be remembered as 
one of Cayuga County's outstanding days among the many promi- 
nent days in the history of the County. While it was one of the 
coldest first days of April that the vicinity has ever experienced, 
it was one of the most fervently warm in spirit and heart-throbs. 

On the evening of March 31st, 1919, your committee, having 
been assured that Company M and the Supply Company would ar- 
rive in Auburn on the following morning, sent from its members 
Messrs. John F. McGrath, Howard J. Lindsley, Howard R. Merritt 
and Sidney J. Aubin to Syracuse with a supply of food, coffee and 
cigarettes. The train, bearing the returning troops, was boarded 
at Syracuse, by these members of your committee ; and during the 
run to Auburn, sandwiches, doughnuts, coffee, candy and cigarettes 
were distributed by them. Arriving in Auburn, the troops were 
received at the N. Y. C. R. R. station by your committee. 

On Avenue A Maj. Elliott N. Baldwin and Capt. Floyd Eldred, 
assisted by other officers, formed the service men at home, to join 
the parade. Your committee, believing that Col. Jennings might 
desire to be mounted, had provided a horse for him, and another 
for his orderly; but the colonel declined the offer, expressing that 
it was his wish to walk with the men he had fought with. 

Colonel Jennings took his place at the head of the column of 
soldiers. Preceding him, at the head of the column, marched a 
soldier and sailor bearing a huge laurel wreath, in memory of the 
boys that had fallen in battle, a tribute to those who did not return. 
Then came automobiles, driven by young ladies of the community, 
which bore wounded service men, followed by the Salem Town 
Commandery Band, and then Colonel Jennings, with his staff, and 
the colors. Capt. Frederick S. Johnston and the Supply Company 
followed, with Capt. W. L. Hodder commanding Company M, com- 
ing next. Following Company M, and splitting the column of 
khaki, marched the sailors and Marines. Then came men from 



96 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

various branches of the service, men who had been over, been 
wounded, and those who had not had the privilege of going over- 
seas. These latter were headed by Maj. Elliott N. Baldwin, the 
ranking officer. The infantry detachment was first, the machine- 
gun detachment next, the artillery third, the engineers next, and 
then the air service. On the north side of Genesee Street Civil War 
Veterans formed a line at the east end of the Court of Honor ; on 
the south side the Spanish- American War Veterans formed another 
line; these organizations acting as a guard of honor. Wounded 
service men, not able to endure the strain of marching, were con- 
veyed in automobiles generously loaned for that purpose. They 
assembled at the Armory for assignment to these motor-cars ; and 
any man who, on account of his condition, was unable to report at 
the Armory at that time, upon telephoning, was sent for and con- 
veyed thereto. The total number of service men that arrived in 
Auburn on the morning of April 1st, 1919, was divided as follows : 
66 Auburn men of Company M ; 68 of the Supply Company ; making 
a total of 134 Auburn men. The line of march was : leaving Avenue 
A, through Garden Street, Franklin Street, Seminary Avenue, 
Genesee Street, west under the Victory Arch, to Washington Street, 
countermarching under the Arch to State Street, and then to the 
Armory where the parade disbanded. As the column counter- 
marched through the Arch, Colonel Jennings stepped out of the 
line and, standing in front of the grandstand, reviewed the men 
as they marched by. 

At the Armory Armorer Duckett, and a corps of Red Cross 
workers, all acting for your committee, the latter under the direc- 
tion of Mrs. Gorton W. Allen, had prepared a substantial buffet 
luncheon, and there the troops were refreshed. Tickets for the 
Grand Military Ball were distributed in the drill shed, by the mem- 
bers of your committee. The order in which the different detach- 
ments of the service, as represented by returned soldiers that ap- 
peared in the line of march, was drawn up by Major Elliott N. 
Baldwin, Captain Floyd F. Eldred and Capt. Thomas J. Bannon. 
The line of march was policed by members of the Auburn police 
force, acting under direction of Chief William C. Bell; and the 
members of the Fraternal Regiment, under the direction of Judge 
Edgar S. Mosher. Company M, of the State Guard, commanded 
by Capt. Harry R. Kidney, acted in a like capacity in the position 
of honor at the N. Y. C. R. R. Station, where space, to accommo- 
date the detraining and formation of the parade, was roped off. 

Complying with your committee's request, householders gen- 
erally arranged for the customary candle illumination in the win- 
dows of residences. It also acknowledges the gratifying public 
and patriotic spirit of the local merchants and residents, as ex- 
hibited in the matter of decorations, and in the extending of the 
City's hospitality to the service men from without the city, and 
their relatives and friends. Throughout the day the City Club, the 



Report of Welcome Home Committee 97 

new home of the Chamber of Commerce, was open to the men in 
uniform, likewise their families and friends. That the men in uni- 
form might have refreshments while resting and entertaining their 
friends, the Red Cross of the County cooperated in adding the home 
touch; and canteen workers served light refreshments during the 
day and evening. All clubs, especially the Elks, Masons, Y. M. C. 
A., and Knights of Columbus, in the city, were open to the service 
men who were abundantly provided with all sorts of refreshments 
and smokes. The entire police force of Auburn, was on duty dur- 
ing the parade; and your committee expresses its appreciation of 
its effective work in keeping the eager crowds in check. We like- 
wise are grateful for the assistance afforded by the city firemen 
under Chief E. J. Jewhurst; and the Boy Scouts in the same ca- 
pacity. The Street Department, under James J. Geherin, is duly 
praised for the manner in which it swept the marching spaces clear 
of snow. 

Home-coming scenes are preserved through the agency of 
motion-picture cameras. Pictures were taken as the train bearing 
the troops steamed into the station, and also as the troops detrained 
and left the railroad yard ; and at the corner of North and Garden 
Streets photographs were taken as the whole parade passed, then 
at the Victory Arch as the uniformed column passed through ; and 
views of reunions between soldiers and loved ones were taken at 
the Armory. Pictures of your committee are also included among 
those taken. All of these were shown at two of the local theatres, 
during the week following the parade; and the films were then 
turned over to the City and County officials, for preservation. 

The members of your committee, including the Supervisors of 
the County and the Aldermen of the City, were invited to seats in 
the reviewing stand at the Court House, where Mayor Koon and 
Dr. George B. Stewart, Chairman of the County and Mayor's De- 
fense Committees, with George C. Pearson, President of the Cham- 
ber of Commerce, and the mothers of the service men, reviewed the 
parade. Admittance to this stand was limited to the number of 
cards sent out by your committee. 

Your committee takes this opportunity of thanking the Lib- 
erty Band for donating its services during the parade. 

Your committee swung over Genesee Street, in front of the 
Khaki and Blue Ron Dee Voo, the great. County service flag with a 
blue star marked with the figures "3,563," representing the number 
of men who went out of the City and County to fight for their coun- 
try; and at the top, a star of pure gold, with the figures '*116," the 
number that gave up their lives, those who made the supreme sac- 
rifice. 

Blue and white flags, the same size as the official city flag, were 
used on the lighting-posts ; on the pylons for the Court of Honor ; 
and in decorating the streets generally, together with American 
flags. 



98 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

Your committee was in receipt of the following letter; and is 
desirous of incorporating it in this report : 

Cayuga County Home Defense Committee 

"Auburn, N. Y., April 1, 1919. 

"Mr. John M. Shetland and Others, 

"Members of the County and City Reception Committee, 

"Gentlemen : 

"The Mayor's Defense Committee of Auburn and the Defense 
Committee of Cayuga County and all our citizens whom we have 
the honor to represent, thank you most sincerely for your faithful 
and wise performance of your difficult and arduous task. You 
have shown commendable judgment in the choice you have made 
from among the many ways in which our boys might have been 
welcomed to their home county and city, and while other things 
might have been done you have done and are doing the right ones 
and we are pleased. 

"The Khaki and Blue Ron Dee Voo is appropriately furnished 
and is a useful service to the men. The artistic arch and Court of 
Honor are a dignified and appropriate expression of the honor the 
home-folks wish to bestow upon the sons of the county and city 
for their heroism and sacrifice. Those who witnessed the inspiring 
spectacle this morning of that procession of heroic men passing 
along the Court of Honor and through the Arch of Victory can 
never forget it. It will remain in memory and in enduring picture 
the out-standing feature of all our "welcome home," and will make 
real to the coming generations the feelings of this grateful people. 

"Your activities have been many and have taken much time, 
thought and patience. It is impossible to enumerate them all, nor 
is your work yet finished. But we desire to take this day of com- 
mon rejoicing as occasion for thanking you, each one of you, for 
your cheerful and eminently successful performance of the com- 
mission we entrusted to you. 

"Yours most sincerely, 

Cayuga County Home Defense Committee, 
Auburn Mayor's Home Defense Committee, 

(Signed) George B. Stewart, Chairman." 

The date of the Grand Military Ball was April 21, 1919, Easter 
Monday. 

Your committee appreciates the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. 
F. H. Fay, who entertained in their home on South Street, many 
service men and their relatives, immediately preceding the Mili- 



Report of Welcome Home Committee 99 

tary Ball. More than 600 guests were served and entertained. The 
ladies of the Red Cross also extended the hospitality of their head- 
quarters in the Woman's Union Building, to service men, their 
relatives and friends, on the same evening. This thoughtfulness 
was duly appreciated by your committee. 

Invitations to the Military Ball were forwarded to every man 
of the more than 3,500, that left the County. These were addressed 
to the residences of the men in the city, and to those in camp or 
overseas, as far as your committee was able to determine their 
whereabouts, and to those at home throughout the entire county, 
with instructions on the backs of envelopes "to please forward'' 
if the addressees were not at the place of first address. With the 
invitation was enclosed a coupon, which entitled the holder ( if in 
uniform) to two tickets, when the coupon was presented at the 
Armory on the day of the parade. Tickets for the ball were issued 
in colors as follows : Blue : for men in uniform, 2 issued upon 
presentation of coupon; White: were placed on sale to the public 
at $5.00 each, admitting a couple ; Red : were placed on sale to the 
public at $3.00 each, single admissions ; Green : were box tickets in 
sets of six, and sold at $30.00, this was twice the regular price of 
admission. Supper checks and admission checks to other halls, 
were attached to all tickets. Supper was served in the Auditorium 
Annex, the rooms having been donated by the Modern Woodmen ; 
the supper was prepared and served by ladies who volunteered 
their services, under the direction of Mrs. Daniel Murnane. Fully 
1,400 were served here, and 500 additional at the Osborne House. 
Music for the ball at the Armory, was by the Salem Town Com- 
mannery Band ; at the Auditorium supper room, by Bain's Orches- 
tra; and additional music at Masonic Hall and the Osborne House 
Grill Room. The Armory drill shed was festooned with Victory 
colors; also Auburn colors, as it happened, blue and white. The 
sidewalls were covered with green lattice-work, through which was 
interwoven genuine Southern laurel, the plant, which, for ages, 
has signified Victory. Along the west and south sides, the boxes 
were arranged, white in color, and set off by square pillars, which, 
like the boxes, were of alabaster white, and surmounted by the 
flags of the allied nations. At intervals, along the sidewalls, were 
American shields; while at the breaking intervals, were strung, 
festoons of the allied colors. At the front of the hall was a bronze 
statue of liberty, with lighted torch. The large light cages, which 
overhang the drill shed, were hidden by bunting, carrying out the 
general color scheme. The decorations were done under the direc- 
tion of your committeeman Henry R. Claudius. Twenty-seven 
boxes were erected, besides the two larger ones for the officers of 
Company M, the Supply Company and Colonel Edgar S. Jennings. 
Each box contained six seats, and they were greatly sought after. 
Mrs. Ray S. Messenger acted as the head of a sub-committee to your 
committee in charge of their sale. As was before stated, the price 
of each box was $30.00, reservations having been made for those 



100 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

making application. They were numbered ; and, of course, the pur- 
chase of one included admittance to the Armory and dinner at 
Woodmen's Hall. Moneys received from such sales, were used to 
finance the ball. The ball, of course, was free to soldiers and sail- 
ors and marines ; and each was entitled to bring a lady. Thus, box- 
purchasers understood that when they made such purchase, they 
were not only paying for themselves, but were likewise assisting 
in meeting the expenses incurred for the benefit of the boys who 
had fought for liberty. The admission for civilians was $5.00 each 
couple; single admissions $3.00; both of which included supper. 
A committee of ladies from the Women's Auxiliary of the Modern 
Woodmen, had charge of the supper for the service men at the ball. 
Company M, of the then New York National Guard, did everything 
possible in assisting your committee, taking charge of the squad 
drill-room, which was used as a checking room. A midnight enter- 
tainment was staged at the Jefferson Theatre; after which your 
committeeman John J. Breslin cleared the stage where dancing 
was had ; music being provided by the theatre orchestra led by Carl 
Oltz, leader of the 108th Band. 

Your committee originally intended closing the Khaki and 
Blue Ron Dee Voo; but have decided, instead, to turn the rooms, 
with their furnishings, over to the American Legion of Auburn, 
which transfer was made about the middle of August. This offer 
was accepted by the Legion, and the following articles given with 
the rooms : 

Five Rockers (leather seats), 1 Book Case, 2 Tables, 2 Library 
Tables, 2 Grass Rugs, 1 Grass Rug (Runner), 1 Picture (Col. Jen- 
nings), 2 Cane Rockers, 9 Cane Chairs, 2 Arm Chairs, 2 Settees 
(Leather), 1 Phonograph, 9 Victrola Records, 1 Bulletin Board, 16 
Wire Backed Chairs, 4 Card Tables, 1 Pool Table, 12 Cues, 1 Set 
Pool Balls, 1 Ball Rack, 1 Cue Rack, 60 Coffee Cups, 26 Water 
Glasses, 2 Pairs Boxing Gloves, 1 Gas Plate, 1 Mop, 1 Pail, 4 Cus- 
pidors, 1 Mirror, 1 Towel Rack, 1 Drinking Glass Holder, 110 Wall 
Hooks, 6 Tungstein Bulbs, 1 American Flag. 

Your committee submits the following report on appropria- 
tions and receipts and expenditures, up to August 1st, 1919. (This 
does not include the appropriations, receipts and expenditures reU 
ative to the Welcome Home Celebration held September 13, 1919 : 

RECEIPTS 

Appropriation by Mayor's Defense Committee $2,200.00 

Appropriation by Mayor's Defense Committee 4,000.00 

Contribution by Floyd M. Wills, March 31st 100.00 

Sale of Boxes and Tickets for Military Ball 972.00 

Rebate from C. A. Porter Company 109.01 

Appropriation Cayuga County Board of Supervisors.... 3,001.26 

Total Receipts $10,388.16 



Report of Welcome Home Committee 101 

EXPENDITURES 

Ron Dee Voo 

Opening Reception $ 57.95 

Stationery, etc 54.03 

Caretaker , 323.65 

Furnishings 704.04 

Telephone 42.79 

Rent, Light, Heat, Insurance 381.40 

• Total $ 1,563.86 

ARCH 

Wm. Mosley on Contract $ 2,638.00 

Wm. Moslej^ additional labor 9.54 

F. G. Nash on Contract 690.10 

Eagles for top 42.00 

Trucking, Express, etc 47.97 

Painting and Lettering 105.00 

Electric Light Fixtures 167.95 

Flags for Pylons, etc 196.40 

J. T. Doyle, redecorating 210.00 

J. A. Hungerford, repair 26.15 

Total $ 4,133.13 

PARADE 

Lunch at Armory $ 271.76 

Printing, etc 57.73 

Breakfast at Syracuse 100.00 

Trucking, etc 4.00 

Grandstands, etc 62.00 

Flagpoles, Flags, Decorations 358.04 



Total $ 853.53 

MILITARY BALL 

Printing, etc $ 263.70 

Decorating 622.27 

Trucking, Signs, etc 53.85 

Suppers 1,366.50 

Music 247.00 

Rental of Annex 30.00 

Boxes, Racks, etc , 207.08 



Total $ 2,790.40 



102 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 



MISCELLANEOUS 

Service Flag, etc $ 142.95 

Postage and Telegrams 134.67 

Stationery and Printing 5.15 

Expenses Committee Representatives to New York 301.10 

Expenses, Casualties of 27th Division to New York 285.74 

Services Miss Kane 25.00 

Total $ 894.61 

Total Receipts $10,388.16 

Total Expenditures 10,235.53 

Balance on hand, August 1st, 1919 $ 152.63 

Your committee reports that the final celebration in honor of 
the returned service men and women, held Saturday, September 
13, 1919, at Lakeside Park, was gratifyingly successful. 

The various and many duties necessary to make the event one 
long to be remembered were apportioned and assigned to sub-com- 
mittees as follows: 

Dinner Committee: John F. McGrath, William Duckett, William 
L. Hodder. 

Transportation Committee: P. T. Quigley, W. O. Dapping, R. C. 

S. Drummond. 

Dance and Decorations Committee : R. C. S. Drummond, Clar- 
ence Benham, Charles Parker, C. D. Osborne, Arthur Clark, 
Henry Claudius, Thomas Walsh. 

Athletic Committee: John J. Breslin, Edwin Leary, H. J. Lind- 
sley. Dr. O'Brien, Louis Dean, James Geherin. 

Programmes, Printing, Etc., Committee: John M. Shetland, W. 
O. Dapping, P. T. Quigley. 

Music Committee: Howard J. Lindsley. 

Police Arrangements: Chief William C. Bell, Chief E. J. Jew- 
hurst, I. E. Pearson. 

Automobile Transportation : Leonard Searing. 

Service Workers : G. W. Irwin. 

Parade : Col. Edgar S. Jennings. 

Individual invitations were sent out to every person who went 
out from Cayuga County to participate in any manner in the Great 
World War, explaining the purpose of the celebration, and urging 
attendance. With this invitation was enclosed a return postcard 
upon which the service man or woman expressed his or her intention 



Report of Welcome Home Committee 103 

to be present or not. It is a pleasure to state that almost half of 
Cayuga's quota of war participants responded. Also, there was en- 
closed a card prepared by Col. Edgar S. Jennings, addressed to All 
Cayuga County "Buddies" and "Gobs," containing instructions for 
the parade. 

Lakeside Park was reserved for the occasion, and the Pavilion 
exclusively set apart for the service men and women and their rela- 
tives and friends. 

Between 12:30 and 2:00 p. m. on the 13th of September, the 
service men and women assembled at the Armory for the parade 
which was to precede the general celebration. G. A. R. Veterans 
were invited, and through the efforts of Leonard H. Searing, Chair- 
man of your committee's Sub-committee on Automobiles, they were 
carried in automobiles from their own headquarters to the Armory, 
Soldiers who were unable to walk with ease had but to telephone the 
Armory, and immediately automobiles were sent for them. 

After assembling, the parade marched up State Street to Clark 
Street, to James Street, to Genesee Street to Owasco Street. Ar- 
rangements were made with the Auburn & Syracuse Electric Rail- 
road for the placing of street cars on Owasco Street at the disposal 
of those marching. As those in the van of the procession continued 
up Owasco Street, they met with the farthest street car, which was 
the first car to Lakeside Park, and boarded it, as was each following 
one, in a like manner, thus avoiding confusion. 

More than 1,000 service men and women marched in splendid 
review in a column of squads. The parade was headed by Col. Edgar 
S. Jennings, the commanding officer of the gallant 108th Infantry. 
He was followed by his Aides, some of whom were Lieut. Command- 
er Thomas Mott Osborne, Capt. B. C. Mead, Capt. Thomas H. Hoyle, 
Capt. Guy Patchen, Capt. Francis E. O'Brien, Lieut. Thomas B. 
Bergan and Lieut. Charles D. Osborne. The Aides were followed 
by Sergeant Bugler Floyd S. Dean, of Headquarters Company, 
108th Infantry. Next came the wreath, furnished by the Ladies 
of the G. A. R., and as the parade halted just before reaching the 
Victory Arch, the wreath was placed in a niche in the Arch by 
Joseph Brandstatter, representing the Army, and on either side of 
him were C. Kierst representing the Navy, and T. B. Murray rep- 
resenting the Marines. It was an act of devotion to the memory 
of the men whose names are inscribed on the Arch in letters of 
gold. 

The banked flags of the Allies came next, guarded by men who 
have been decorated for conspicuous bravery. Among those thus 
honored were Lieut. L. H. Davis, George P. Frank, William A. 
McCarthy, Albert E. Somers, William H. Williamson, Capt. Guy 
Patcheon, Lieut. Carl Rea, Paul A. Hills and Antonio Scroso. Sev- 
eral other honor men were included in this detachment. 



104 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

A band came next, followed by welfare workers and Red Cross 
workers, with the sailors and marines coming after. Then came 
all the British service men, including Canadian, Australian and 
other colonial service men. United States Army men not in divi- 
sions, followed ; this included Aviation, Medical, Sanitary, Quarter- 
master, Ordnance, Transport, etc. The next section was command- 
ed by Major Elliott N. Baldwin, preceded by a drum corps. Then 
came the section commanded by Capt. Fred S. Johnston, with his 
Aides, followed by a band, with service men from divisions in num- 
erical order; and finally came the Grand Army of the Republic 
Veterans in automobiles. 

Once again your committee gives expression to the deep grati- 
tude it feels for the earnest co-operation and assistance offered and 
accepted. Even the day itself was in accord with the spirit of the 
occasion, clear, almost crispt yet not cold, and a warming sun, all 
seemed to blend with the lightheartedness and gladness with which 
the County glowed. 

The city presented a gala appearance. The decorations on the 
ornamental posts in the inner lighting district were augmented 
by thossands of flags hung from the business houses of the city. 
Store windows were tastefully decorated with the colors that the 
boys who marched in review carried overseas. Private residences 
in the outskirts of the city and homes in the villages of the county 
and the outlying farms were graced with the national colors. Re- 
tail merchants throughout the city and county, who had in their 
employ service men or women, relieved them of their duties for the 
day. The factories closed down at noon, and each loyal citizen, to 
some extent, contributed to the success of the occasion. 

Tickets for transportation and admission to the Park were 
distributed to the service men just before the parade left the Arm- 
ory. About fifty ladies, representing the Red Cross, and the serv- 
ice workers who volunteered to assist in serving the dinner, con- 
sisting of about forty Y. M. C. A. men and representatives of the 
Elks, Masons, K. of C, K. of P., and fraternities, left the corner 
of South and Genesee Streets immediately the parade passed that 
point. A large banner was hung from the car provided for their 
transportation to the Park ; and service workers only were permit- 
ted to ride in it. These workers were provided with badges as a 
means of identification, and were in charge of G. W. Irwin. In- 
structions and rehearsal of the method of serving were given the 
workers as soon as they arrived at the Park. 

Arriving at the Park the service men and women were served 
with a clam chowder luncheon ; after which an athletic programme 
was carried out. The first event was a baseball game ; the players 
having been selected from the army on one side, and the navy and 
marines as opponents. During the game Chairman J. J. Breslin, 
of your committee's sub-committee on athletics, announced the var- 



Report of Welcome Home Committee 105 

ious other events, and his committee passed through the grand- 
stand, receiving entries therefor. These events were as follov^s: 
75 Yard Dash, Pie Eating Contest, Spoon and Egg Race, 12 Pound 
Shot Put, Three-legged Race, Hop, Skip and Jump, Shoe Contest, 
and Wheelbarrov^ Race. First prizes in money or credit sHps in 
the amount of $5.00, and $3.00 for second prize, were awarded. 

Following the programme on the field, mess call was sounded, 
and the assemblage adjourned to the Pavilion where a substantial 
dinner was served. Long rows of tables extending the entire 
length of the Pavilion veranda were filled to capacity ; and it was 
found necessary to seat some of the service men inside the Pavilion. 
Red Cross workers, assisted by representatives of the Knights of 
Columbus, Elks, Masons, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and Y. 
M. C. A. served the dinner. There was more than enough to go 
around ; and those desiring it, were served a second time. Chicken, 
sweet and Irish potatoes, corn, celery, rolls, clams, ice cream and 
soft drinks composed the menu. Each man was given half a chick- 
en, two ears of corn, twenty-two clams, and as much of the other 
food as was desired. The Knights of Columbus under the direction 
of John Paladieu, served cigarettes, candy, gum, matches, souvenir 
match boxes and handkerchiefs. These articles were placed be- 
side each man's plate. 

Tubs, containing the food, which was cooked in bags, were 
carried by two men followed by two Red Cross ladies; the latter 
served the food to those seated at the tables. Those serving the 
food entered an aisle provided for that purpose, and passed between 
tables assigned to them, continuing always in the same direction 
and leaving the tubs at the ends of the porch, where other tubs of 
food were supplied them. 

Following the dinner, a song service was enjoyed ; and this was 
continued while a force of workers cleared the tables, and carpen- 
tes tore down the benches. When everything was cleared, the 
dancing was begun. 

The Pavilion was decorated for the occasion, and transformed 
into a bower of beauty. Thousands of Japanese lanterns hung in 
long chains ; flags and banners and flowers hung from the ceiling. 

Thousands of relatives and friends of service men, assembled 
at the Lake during the afternoon and evening, and witnessed the 
serving of the dinner and the dancing in the evening. 

The food was prepared by Caterer Schlaefrey; and the bags 
in which it was served, were made by Red Cross workers, and more 
than 5,000 were finished in five days. The cooking was done in a 
large tent on the lawn outside the Pavilion. 

Thus was brought to a close an activity in which your com- 
mittee is proud to have borne so great a responsibility. Every 
turn of the hand by each member of your committee, and by those 



106 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

who afforded so great assistance, was done with a deep knowledge 
of appreciation for what the service men and women had done for 
the country, and for humanity. Nothing was considered too good 
for them; no labor, which could in some manner result in giving 
them joy, was too difficult; and no joy was more great than that 
experienced through the members of your committee's efforts in 
accomplishing the results of its activities. And too, your com- 
mittee feels a deep sense of satisfaction in that during all its cele- 
brations in honor of Cayuga's heroes, never was there a breath of 
unhappiness or sadness, instead, just a series of thrills and cheers, 
which acted as panacea for the loss of loved ones, in addition to the 
nurturing of the flower of patriotism that so thrives in our midst. 
In closing, permit your committee to state that it is content 
that its commission was carried out satisfactorily in its own be- 
lief, and hopes the community and the Mayor's and County De- 
fense Committees feel likewise. 



EXPENDITURES FOR FINAL CELEBRATION GIVEN ON SATURDAY, SEP- 
TEMBER 13, 1919 

Appropriation by Auburn War Chest, Inc $5,000.00 

EXPENDITURES 

Cartage and Draying — ^ 

Auburn Draying Company $ 8.27 

William Duckett (Automobile) 15.00 

William Nagle • • 2.50 

W. J. Nolan 5.75 

$31.52 



Services — 

Val Schlaefrey (cooking) $250.00 

Bridget Lane (making bags) 3.75 

Mrs. DeForrest (making bags) 3.75 

A. W. Titus (signs) 11.85 

G. N. Lounsbury (addressing) 14.00 

H. F. Kowall (stenographic) 25.00 

Albert Jackson (garbage) 18.00 

$326.35 

Transportation — 

Auburn «& Syracuse E. R. R. Co 98.16 

Prizes at Field Day 64.00 

Postage 155.55 

Printing and Advertising — 

W. A. Schicht 54.10 

Auburn Publishing Co 32.40 

Advertiser-Journal 32.40 

County newspapers (Moravia et al) 21.80 

$140.70 



Receipts and Disbursements 



107 



Provision — 

S. C. Houghtaling $721.98 

E. N .Ross 485.55 

Auburn Grocery Co 33.00 

Wall & Heverin 138.60 

Auburn Sanitary Milk Co 74.25 

Sun Grocery Co 10.00 

Sun Baking Co 35.75 

R. D. Lanehart 16.00 

Decorations 

Music — 

Logan Drum Corps $25.00 

St. Mary's Drum Corps 40.00 

William H. Bishop 147.00 

Parsons Orchestra 66.00 

Tables, etc. (Williams & Son) 

Crockery, cheese cloth, etc. — 

Central City Crockery Co 86.79 

Cheese cloth (Foster's, Hislop's et al) 187.35 

Spoons, pails, etc 17.51 

Miscellaneous — 

Ice $16.00 

Empire Gas & Electric Co 35.00 

E. J. Kraemer 10.00 

Cigars 6.00 

F. S. Johnston Paper Co 21.25 

Whipple & Forman 11.35 

Reimbursement to Auburn War Chest, Inc 



$1,515.13 
250.00 



$278.00 
260.28 



$291.65 



99.60 
$1,489.06 



$5,000.00 



All of which is respectfully submitted for the Committee. 



JOHN M. SHETLAND, 
Chairman. 



APPENDIX IX 

Report of Receipts and Disbursements, Mayor's Defense 
Committee of the City of Auburn, N. Y. 

April 17, 1917— December 31, 1919. 
RECEIPTS 



Contributions from Manufacturers 
(5c per month per employee) 



Contributions from Individuals and Firms 

(Monthly subscriptions April-October, 1917 inc.) 



$1,843.28 
5,354.00 



108 Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 

Cayuga County Home Defense Committee — 

Administration $115.30 

Public Meetings 69.50 

Parades, etc 104.50 

New York State Military Census 348.90 

Banquet to Selected Service Men 102.22 

Uniforms, Home Defense Reserve 375.00 

United States Food Administration 138.00 

$1,253.42 

Auburn War Chest, Inc 19,400.00 

Tractor Committee — 

Sale of Ford Car $225.00 

Receipts from tractor work 21.47 

$246.47 

Selected Service Men's Banquet 72.00 

(Cash Receipts) 

Balance Fund from Committee on Soldiers' Families dur- 
ing Mexican Border trouble, 1916 $53.20 

Interest on Certificates of Deposit $41.69 

Reimbursement Service Men's Families — 

British and Canadian Patriotic Fund $2,511.80 

Families of service men 478.00 

$2,989.80 

108th Regiment Band Concert (cash receipts) 992.34 

War Kitchen, 1918— 

Sale of Food Stuffs 77.49 

Committee on Arrangements for Homecoming Service Men — 

Telephone rebate $ 5.89 

Sale of boxes for ball 972.00 

Rebate F. G. Nash 225.40 

Rebate C. A. Porter Co 109.01 

Contribution from Buffalo friend 100.00 



War Garden Committee, 1918 — 

State Department of Agriculture $156.25 

Sale of Ford Car 201.00 



$1,412.30 



$357.25 



Miscellaneous — 

Sale of bugles, H. D. R $20.00 

Return of loan to soldier, etc 4.44 

Rebate on Telephone 2.95 



$27.39 
Total Receipts $34,120.63 



DISBURSEMENTS 

Dependent Families of Auburn Service Men $7,961.14 

Third (108th) Regiment- 
To Colonel E. S. Jennings for the benefit of Auburn 

men in Third Regiment $1,000.00 

Supplies, etc., for Company M 252.77 

— $1,252.77 



Receipts and Disbursements 109 



War Gardens, year of 1917 — 

Salary of Supervisor $400.00 

Depreciation in value or motorcycle 40.00 

Upkeep of motorcycle 22.24 

Phone, light, etc 31.49 

Signs, printing, stationery, etc 66.08 

Incidentals 34.41 

$594.22 



War Gardens, year of 1918 — 

Purchase Ford Car $300.00 

Upkeep and supplies for car 197.53 

Phone and light 29.45 

Salary of Supervisor 419.10 

Postage, stationery, signs, etc 52.55 

Incidentals 38.90 



Administration — 

Salary of oflSce assistant $546.00 

Postage, telegrams, telephone, printing, stationery, etc. 399.19 



Public Meetings — 

Rent, stage hands, etc $350.50 

Music, Decorations, etc 392.15 



Committee on Enlistment — 

Music, etc. (Selected Service Men parades) $239.00 

Printing posters, etc 41.90 



New York State Military Census — 

Clerical Hire $255.00 

Supplies 93.90 



Tractor Committee — 

Purchase Ford Car $376.58 

Repairs, etc 9.01 

Tractor repairs and supplies 967.60 



$1,038.53 



$945.19 



$742.65 



$280.90 



$348.90 



$1,353.19 



Banquet to Selected Service Men, September 6, 1917 — 

Food supplies $225.00 

Music, rent, etc 53.44 

$278.44 

United States Food Administration — 

Advance to office assistant account — 

Cayuga County Home Defense Committee $138.00 

Printing, etc 7.80 

$145.80 



110 



Report of Mayor's Defense Committee 



Committee on Defense and Security — 

Advance on uniforms (Acct. C. C. H. D. C.) $375.00 

Express on uniforms, printing, etc 53.22 

Bugles and drums, Home Defense Reserve 73.37 

108th Regiment Band Concert, April 28, 1918 — 

Rent, etc $210.50 

Advertising 40.00 

Paid to Colonel E. S. Jennings 148.40 

Paid to Rev. A. A. Jaynes, Chaplain 593.60 



$501.59 



$992.50 



Service Men's Comforts — 

Hospital Bills, loans to service men, hoarding, clothing, 

etc $506.27 

Material for Auxiliaries for sweaters, etc 329.19 

Postage, clerical hire, etc 573.07 

Paid Cayuga County Chapter, American Red Cross 1,542.13 



$2,950.66 



War Kitchen, year of 1918 — 

Supplies $97.63 

Telephones, etc 32.48 

Committee on Arrangements for Homecoming Service Men — 

Parade $526.18 

Ron-dee-voo 1,542.51 

Victory Arch 3,746.63 

Military Ball 817.19 

Miscellaneous 894.61 

Committee on Arrangements, etc. (Final Celebration) — 

Cartage and Draying $31.52 

Services 326.35 

Transportation 98.16 

Prizes 64.00 

Postage 155.55 

Printing and Advertising 140.70 

Provisions 1,515.13 

Decorations 250.00 

Music 278.00 

Tables, etc 260.28 

Crockery, cheese cloth, etc 291.65 

Miscellaneous 99.60 

Reimbursement Auburn War Chest, Inc 1,489.06 

Printing Final Reports 

Total Disbursements 



$130.11 



$7,527.12 



$5,000.00 

472.69 
$32,516.40 



NOTE. The last meeting of the Defense Committee was held in the 
Auburn Chamber of Commerce, April 14, 1920, 6:30 p. m. Dinner was served, 
each member present bearing his share of the cost. After dinner, a bill for 
$6.75 for postal card notices of meeting was ordered paid. To this is added the 
cost for mailing the Report, $21.00, and the cost of this "Note," $4.00. The 
Treasurer was directed to pay the balance in the Treasury, $1,572.48, (the 
balance of Dec. 31, 1919 less the above items) to the Treasurer of the World 
War Memorial Association for the purposes of that Association. Chairman 
Stewart presided and presented the above Reports, which were received and 
made the Report of the Committee to His Honor, former Mayor Koon. Short 
addresses were made by Hon. Mark I. Koon, in receiving the Committee's 
Report, by Hon. Charles W. Brister, Mayor A. P. Burkhart, John M. Shetland, 
Rev. Robert H, Nichols, John J. Breslin, Samuel B. Hillger, John Van Sickle, 
Rev. Allen Macy Dulles, and Hon. Richard C. S. Drummond. On motion of Mr. 
Drummond the Committee adjourned at 10:00 p. m. without day. 

The Treasurer on April 25, 1920, paid the Treasurer, World War Memorial 
Association, the above balance, $1,572.48. 



Receipts and Disbursements 111 
total disbursements 

Total Receipts $34,120.63 

Total Disbursements 32,516.40 



Balance $ 1,604.23 

Respectfully submitted, 

T. H. GARRETT, Jr., 

Treasurer. 

S. J. AUBIN, 

Assistant Treasurer. 
December 31st, 1919. 



Auburn, N. Y., January 16, 1920. 

Rev. George B. Stewart, D. D., Chairman, 
Mayor's Defense Committee, 
Auburn, N. Y. 
Dear Doctor Stewart : 

Pursuant to your request, I have audited the books of the 
Mayor's Defense Committee of the City of Auburn covering a period 
from April 17th, to December 31st, 1919, and have found the receipts 
and disbursements correct in every detail, also the balance on hand 
at the National Bank of Auburn as reported. 

Very truly yours, 

C. W. Storke. 



